Lakeland Bancorp
Annual Report 2021

Plain-text annual report

2021 A N N U A L R E P O R T L a k e l a n d B a n c o r p , I n c . 2 0 2 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T Lakeland’s activities in 2021 were highlighted by a transformational merger that positions us for continued success in our rapidly changing marketplace; ongoing progress toward diversity, equity and inclusion; and leadership in supporting our communities. DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS The events of 2021 posed challenges for all of us – from individuals, families and communities, to organizations large and small. Among the forces that shaped our lives in the past year, the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic pressures due to global supply chain issues and the return of inflation, and continued divisions and disparities within our society head the list. In considering how to respond to such challenges, it is often helpful for organizations to ask such fundamental questions as: “What purpose do we serve?” and “How can we use our resources to create value and expand opportunities for all our stakeholders?” At Lakeland, we answered those questions by doubling down on our mission: Total assets rose to $8.20 billion at year-end 2021 from $7.66 billion a year earlier. Total loans ended the year at $5.98 billion, versus $6.02 billion at the end of 2020. Asset quality improved substantially, as non-performing assets declined to 0.21% of total assets at December 31, 2021, from 0.56% a year earlier. Total deposits increased to $6.97 billion from $6.46 billion comparing year-end 2021 to 2020. To inspire and enable the communities we serve to achieve financial stability and success. With a passion for excellence, we strive to exceed the expectations of our customers, associates, and shareholders. In keeping with our mission, in 2021 Lakeland prepared to extend our services to new markets and customers through a major acquisition; provided lending and savings products to support the financial aspirations of people and organizations; continued our digital transformation to better serve customers and operate more productively; engaged with and supported our communities; and maintained our focus on building a diverse, inclusive and responsible enterprise; all while delivering record earnings performance. We are proud of our accomplishments – and even prouder of the commitment, resiliency and professionalism of our Lakeland associates. Thanks to their efforts, we lived our purpose, saw our customers and communities through another difficult year, and strengthened our foundation for a promising future. DELIVERING PROFITABLE GROWTH Lakeland’s financial results for 2021 were distinguished by record profitability, solid asset and deposit growth with stellar credit quality. Net income reached an all-time high of $95.0 million or $1.85 per diluted share, compared to $57.5 million and diluted EPS of $1.13 for 2020. Our return on average assets was 1.19%, return on average common equity was 11.95%, and return on average tangible common equity was 14.93%. During the 2021 third quarter, we further strengthened our financial position through a $150 million subordinated debt offering with an interest rate of 2.875% fixed for five years. The offering was used, in part, to redeem $75 million of higher-cost 5.125% subordinated notes. Lakeland’s record performance again enabled us to deliver returns for our shareholders, as the Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends totaling $0.53 per share during 2021 compared to $0.50 per share in 2020, an increase of 6%. TRANSFORMING OUR FUTURE In July 2021, Lakeland Bancorp and 1st Constitution Bancorp entered into a definitive agreement providing for the merger of 1st Constitution with Lakeland. The merger was completed on January 6, 2022, and is truly a transformative event. As a result, Lakeland has become one of the largest New Jersey-headquartered banking institutions, with an expanded footprint serving many of the state’s most attractive banking markets. Together, we have over $10 billion in assets, a shared legacy of strong customer service with solid performance, and exciting opportunities for growth. Importantly, Lakeland has gained a talented, accomplished team with proven expertise in additional product lines. In connection with the merger, Robert F. Mangano, President and Chief Executive Officer of 1st Constitution, has joined the Boards of Directors of Lakeland Bancorp and Lakeland Bank. We welcome Bob and the 1st Constitution associates to our Lakeland Bank family, and look forward to serving our customers and communities, creating opportunities for our associates, and growing together. REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS INVESTING IN DIGITAL BANKING Lakeland made steady progress in 2021 in implementing our digital strategy, which is designed to provide solutions and services for the variety of ways our customers want to bank today – and tomorrow. One area of focus has been on building the core competencies that will be critical to delivering technology-enabled financial services at a competitive level. Diverse, talented individuals were added in key roles such as Project Management, Business Analysis, and Quality Assurance. We are incorporating a new customer relationship management platform and a customer insights system, which securely aggregate data from across the Bank to provide a more complete view of our customers and their needs. A wide range of digital customer-facing solutions were launched during the past year, including: a new business banking platform, enhancements to our residential loan origination software, mobile banking account alerts, and a fraud detection system. Another important priority, enhancing the Bank’s online account opening capabilities, is a focus for 2022. While our digital transformation journey is far from complete, we are extremely pleased with our progress to date and excited about the potential benefits to our customer service, marketing capabilities, and operational efficiencies. ADVANCING ESG, EMBRACING DIVERSITY Customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders are increasingly looking to corporations for environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership in a wide range of areas, such as business ethics; diversity, equity and inclusion; employee well-being; climate change; access to financial services; data protection and cyber security; among many others. We understand that ESG-related policies and actions not only affect the well-being of people, communities and society, but also have implications for risk mitigation and long-term financial performance and value. Accordingly, we have developed a detailed roadmap, overseen by the Board of Directors, to ensure that our approach to ESG issues is aligned with stakeholders’ priorities and corporate best practices. We are working to develop ESG measurement and disclosure programs that are consistent with widely recognized global standards, and will have more to say on our plans in the future. We know that Lakeland will only be successful if we have a workforce that reflects our community and society, and represents diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. In 2021, we made important strides in expanding our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. To increase awareness of DEI among associates, and enhance the well-being of associates generally, we launched a Cultural Connections newsletter and held a series of listening sessions on wide-ranging topics such as social justice; the needs of working women; issues of relevance to various racial, ethnic and religious groups; as well as parenting and self-care. To increase diversity in our workforce, we partnered on recruitment efforts with organizations such as the African American, Hispanic and New Jersey LGBT chambers of commerce, which have led to an increase in hiring diverse talent. The third class of our Leader Engagement and Development (LEAD) Program graduated in 2021; the program continues to be an important tool for fostering the leadership abilities and management potential of diverse members of our team. A survey of Lakeland associates in 2021 found that 94% believe we are committed to diversity and 90% agree we are making progress with our initiatives. We are encouraged by these findings and we are committed to moving our efforts forward. ENGAGING WITH OUR COMMUNITY As we noted earlier, a key element of our mission is to encourage the stability and success of our communities. In 2021 – as the strains of COVID-19 were felt across our society – Lakeland supported organizations that provide healthcare, economic assistance, education and other vital resources. Some of our more significant community-oriented efforts included contributions for inner-city pediatric dentistry services; support for a community college technical training program; and our annual Scholarship Golf Outing, which aids local students who are pursuing higher education. In addition, our Healthcare Banking team provided millions of dollars in credit, as well as other financial services, to enable the work of assisted living and memory care facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, medical practices, behavioral health and substance abuse centers, and other healthcare providers across our market area. REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES, ENDURING VALUES We are honored that several independent organizations have again recognized Lakeland’s commitment to excellence during 2021, including the following: • Lakeland Bank was named to the list of America’s Best-In-State Banks 2021 for the third consecutive year, based on an annual consumer survey by Forbes magazine and Statista. • The respected industry publication American Banker awarded Lakeland the designation of Best Banks to Work For, one of only 90 banks across the U.S. • We have been recognized for several years as one of New Jersey’s 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ, the state’s premier business news publication. • Lakeland again received a 5-Star rating (the highest possible rating) by Bauer Financial, an independent bank rating agency, based on our superior financial condition. Lakeland enters 2022 as a $10 billion-asset institution with a presence in one of the most attractive banking markets in the U.S. Along with the opportunities that come with our greater size and scale, we have a responsibility to meet the needs of our expanded customer base, growing team of associates, and extended communities. To do that, we will remain true to the values of superior service and community-driven culture that we have lived by since Lakeland was founded in 1969. Going forward, we will work relentlessly to help our customers reach their financial goals, invest in innovative digital solutions to respond to the evolving needs of consumers and businesses, attract and develop a diverse team of talented people, lend support to our neighbors, and deliver for our shareholders and society. As always, we are grateful to our customers and shareholders for their trust in Lakeland, to our Board for their leadership and sound governance, and to our associates for their dedication and professionalism. We will continue to strive to be worthy of your confidence and support. Sincerely, Thomas J. Shara Mary Ann Deacon President & CEO Board Chair FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS: LAKELAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEAR (dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share data) 2021 2020 2019 2018 Net Income Return on Average Assets Return on Average Stockholders’ Equity Net Interest Margin Efficiency Ratio Tangible Common Equity Ratio Dividends Paid on Common Stock PER-SHARE DATA Earnings Per Share — Basic — Diluted Cash Dividends Per Common Share Book Value Per Common Share Tangible Book Value Per Common Share Weighted Average Shares Outstanding — Basic — Diluted AT YEAR END Loans, Net of Deferred Fees Total Deposits Total Assets Stockholders’ Equity Loans to Deposits Ratio of Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans Outstanding Ratio of Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio CET1 Ratio $ 95,041 $ 57,518 $ 70,672 $ 63,401 1.19% 11.95% 3.13% 53.23% 8.31% 0.80% 7.74% 3.09% 54.54% 8.05% 1.12% 10.14% 3.33% 54.83% 8.62% 1.15% 10.59% 3.36% 56.09% 8.57% $ 27,119 $ 25,457 $ 24,919 $ 21,307 $ $ $ $ $ 1.85 1.85 0.53 16.34 13.21 50,624 50,870 $ $ $ $ $ 1.13 1.13 0.50 15.13 11.97 50,540 50,650 $ $ $ $ $ 1.39 1.38 0.49 14.36 11.18 50,477 50,642 $ $ $ $ $ 1.32 1.32 0.45 13.14 10.22 47,578 47,766 $ 5,976,148 $ 6,021,232 $ 5,137,823 $ 4,456,733 6,965,823 6,455,783 5,293,779 4,620,670 8,198,056 7,664,297 6,711,236 5,806,093 827,014 85.79% 0.04% 0.21% 8.51% 11.15% 14.48% 10.67% 763,784 93.27% 0.03% 0.56% 8.37% 10.22% 12.84% 9.73% 725,263 97.05% 0.00% 0.32% 9.41% 11.02% 13.40% 10.46% 623,739 96.45% 0.05% 0.22% 9.39% 11.27% 13.71% 10.62% TOTAL ASSETS (in millions) NET INCOME (in millions) TOTAL LOANS (in millions) TOTAL DEPOSITS (in millions) $6,711 $5,806 $8,198 $7,664 $70.7 $63.4 $95.0 $6,021 $5,976 $5,138 $57.5 $4,457 $5,294 $4,621 $6,966 $6,456 2018 2019 2020 2021 2018 2019 2020 2021 2018 2019 2020 2021 2018 2019 2020 2021 LAKELAND BANCORP AND LAKELAND BANK BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mary Ann Deacon Secretary and Treasurer, Deacon Homes, Inc. Thomas J. Shara President and CEO, Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Bruce D. Bohuny President, Brooks Builders Brian M. Flynn CPA and Partner, PKF O’Connor Davies Mark J. Fredericks President, Keil Oil, Inc. and Fredericks Fuel and Heating Service Brian Gragnolati President and CEO, Atlantic Health System James E. Hanson II President and CEO, The Hampshire Companies Janeth C. Hendershot Former Senior Vice President, Munich-American Risk Partners Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr. Chairman of the Board and CEO, Inserra Supermarkets, Inc. Robert F. Mangano Former President and CEO, 1st Constitution Bank Robert E. McCracken Funeral Director/Manager, Smith-McCracken Funeral Home Robert Nicholson III President and CEO, Northern Resources Corporation CHAIRMEN EMERITUS John W. Fredericks Robert B. Nicholson TRANSFORMATION, DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY INVESTING IN TRANSFORMATION, DIVERSITY AND OUR COMMUNITIES Lakeland’s activities in 2021 were highlighted by a transformational merger that positions us for continued success in our rapidly changing marketplace; ongoing progress toward diversity, equity and inclusion; and leadership in supporting our communities. 1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP MERGER Our merger with 1st Constitution Bancorp brings together two banking institutions with outstanding records of customer and community service, complementary geographies, and exciting potential for future performance and growth. The combination provides an entry into attractive markets, including a new presence in Mercer, Monmouth and Middlesex Counties and an expanded footprint in Bergen, Ocean and Somerset Counties. Pennsylvania 23 Highland Mills, NY Sussex 206 Sussex/Wantage Vernon Branchville Downtown New York West Milford 87 Hampton Lafayette Franklin Passaic Newfoundland Ringwood Wanaque Sparta Town Center Milton Fredon 15 Andover Bloomingdale Butler 287 Wyckoff Park Ridge Waldwick Westwood Bergen Rochelle Park 80 Teaneck Englewood Hackensack(2) Cedar Crest Boonton Denville Montville 23 Wayne Totowa Little Falls 80 Warren Stanhope Wharton Morris 206 Mendham Morristown 287 Madison Bernardsville Summit Caldwell Essex 23 Clifton Nutley Carlstadt Fort Lee 280 78 Hudson w York e N On a strategic level, the merger squarely aligns with the long-term vision for growth of our enterprise. It vaults Lakeland into the ranks of the largest independent community banks in our market – with the scale and resources to serve the ever-changing needs of consumers and businesses. Our range of products and services has been expanded across the organization, including the addition of 1st Constitution’s mortgage warehouse business and residential mortgage banking division, which builds on the strengths of Lakeland Mortgage. We are also pleased that Robert F. Mangano, President and Chief Executive Officer of 1st Constitution, has joined Lakeland’s Boards of Directors effective with the completion of the merger. Bob has had a distinguished career in New Jersey banking for nearly five decades and is a highly-esteemed veteran of the industry. Since joining 1st Constitution in 1996, he has built the bank into a respected, first-class organization. He previously served in senior executive roles and leadership positions at other community banks and, earlier in his career, at one of New Jersey’s largest commercial banking institutions. Among his community activities, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Englewood Hospital Medical Center and its parent board, and is Chairman of the hospital’s Audit Committee. Union 95 287 Iselin Perth Amboy 78 Hunterdon Hillsborough Somerset Skillman Hopewell Princeton Plainsboro Mercer Cranbury (2) Hightstown Middlesex Jamesburg G A R D E N S T A TE P A R K W A Y Monmouth Rumson Fair Haven Little Silver Shrewsbury Long Branch Asbury Park Administrative Center Milton Operations & Training Center Regional Loan Office Loan Production Office 95 Hamilton Freehold 195 Jackson Lakewood Burlington Ocean Tom’s River (2) Manahawkin 9 9 Bernardsville Bernardsville Cranbury Cranbury Denville Denville Fort Lee Fort Lee Freehold Freehold Jackson Jackson Waldwick Waldwick Montville Montville Oak Ridge Oak Ridge Teaneck Teaneck Highland Mills, NY Highland Mills, NY Toms River Toms River Hillsborough Hillsborough Totowa Totowa TRANSFORMATION, DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY opportunity. This commitment was more important than ever in 2021 as our communities continued to cope with the impact of COVID-19. Below are a few of the many community activities Lakeland and our associates supported last year. • Our 48th Annual Scholarship Golf Outing raised $200,000 to support the Bank’s scholarship program. Scholarships will be presented in 2022 to students at more than 100 educational institutions throughout the markets we serve. The Annual Scholarship Outing is the cornerstone of Lakeland’s philanthropic endeavors and brings together hundreds of our associates, customers and business partners who are determined to help make the dream of pursuing a higher education possible. • Lakeland awarded a $10,000 Community Impact Grant to Sussex County Community College (SCCC) to support its start-up Electrical Lineworker program. Designed to provide the training needed for a successful career in this important field, the program will help fill the void of skilled workers in this vital industry. • We continued our three-year annual commitment of $15,000 to support the pediatric dentistry residency program sponsored by St. Joseph’s Health Foundation. This program provides access to professional oral care for some of the most vulnerable children and families in Paterson and the surrounding communities. • Supporting programs that address homelessness is one of Lakeland’s philanthropic priorities. A $10,000 Housing Impact Grant presented to Ocean’s Harbor House in Toms River, New Jersey will provide the financial means to continue their Supervised Transitional Living Program, which provides housing, services and programs for homeless youth throughout the region. • Lakeland awarded a $20,000 Grant to Norwescap to help establish a Cultural and Community Center in Sussex Borough. The Center will be utilized for the senior residents as well as community events, celebrations, and other activities that promote culture and bring people in the community together. RECOGNITION FOR OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY Lakeland has continued its determined efforts to attract and maintain a diverse workforce and to foster an environment that is supportive of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our expanding range of DEI initiatives includes the creation of an associate-led Diversity Task Force, awareness training and listening sessions for our associates, as well as a number of recruitment and career development efforts. The person largely responsible for moving our programs forward is Alethea Batts, Lakeland’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. We are proud that Alethea was named by the New Jersey Bankers Association as the inaugural recipient of its Excellence in Diversity award in February 2022. Significantly, Alethea was nominated by her peers in recognition of her leadership qualities, ability to impact the culture of the bank and community, and her role in influencing others to be more diversity conscious. In accepting the award, Alethea noted, “We have witnessed a far-reaching and historical transformation across many industries to make diversity, equity and inclusion a priority. I am passionate about the work that I do and about driving the DEI agenda to new limits. As leaders in the banking industry, each of you can lead from where you stand to broaden the focus on the value of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. You can be the advocates for change.” MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES As a community bank, Lakeland has a responsibility to support the communities where we live and work – not only by providing financial services, but also by investing in programs that foster health, education, and economic LAKELAND BANCORP AND LAKELAND BANK OFFICERS LAKELAND BANCORP OFFICERS Mary Ann Deacon Board Chair Thomas J. Shara President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald E. Schwarz Sr. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Ho-Sing-Loy Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Ellen Lalwani Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer Timothy Matteson Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer/General Counsel and Corporate Secretary James M. Nigro Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer John F. Rath III Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer LAKELAND BANK OFFICERS PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Thomas J. Shara SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Ronald E. Schwarz EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS John Andreacio EVP/Commercial Lending Group Leader Karen Garrera EVP/Chief Retail Officer Paul Ho-Sing-Loy EVP/Chief Information Officer Ellen Lalwani EVP/Chief Banking Officer Timothy Matteson EVP/Chief Administrative Officer/ General Counsel/Corporate Secretary James M. Nigro EVP/Chief Risk Officer Stephen C. Novak EVP/Senior Commercial Real Estate Officer & Group Leader John F. Rath III EVP/Chief Lending Officer Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. EVP/Chief Financial Officer Thomas C. Stackhouse EVP/Chief Credit Officer Jenifer Thoma EVP/Chief Human Resources Officer David S. Yanagisawa EVP/Senior Loan Officer/ Commercial Lending FIRST SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS Alethea Batts First SVP/Learning and Development, Chief Diversity Officer Leonard Carlucci First SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Brendan Eccleston First SVP/Deputy General Counsel Walter Hrycyna First SVP/Director of Warehouse Lending Mary T. Karakos First SVP/Commercial Loan Chief Administrative Officer Ronald Krauskopf First SVP/Group Leader/Healthcare, Insurance and SBA Lending Rita A. Myers First SVP/Comptroller Bharat G. Naran First SVP/Information Technology Director Mary Kaye Nardone First SVP/Chief Information Security Officer Patricia Nuccio First SVP/Digital Director Elaine C. Petit First SVP/Director of Enterprise Solutions Susan Scimone-Bellini First SVP/Senior Regional Administrator Vickie Tomasello First SVP/Chief Audit Officer Leonard Van Dam First SVP/Group Leader/ Commercial Loans Laurie A. Veith First SVP/Director of Operations SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS John D. Allen SVP/Treasurer Christina Barbaro SVP/Senior Operations Officer Thomas Berger SVP/Warehouse Lending Officer Lisa Borghese SVP/Commercial Lending Relationship Manager Kenneth Bostwick, Jr. SVP/Director of Retail Sales Bruce Bready SVP/Small Business Lending Manager Steven Breeman SVP/Asset Based Lending Team Leader Roxanne Camejo SVP/Community Development Officer Kathy Coffey-Biancamano SVP/Market Manager Raymond Cordts SVP/Business Development Officer Victoria Duffin SVP/Director of Marketing James Erickson SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Robert Feldmann SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Pamela Frie SVP/Small Business Administration Team Leader Gary L. Garris SVP/Project Management Office Lead Tina George SVP/Facilities and Purchasing Officer Andrenaia Giordano SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Daniel S. Gonzalez SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Joseph Gorga SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Carl Grau SVP/Enterprise Solutions Brent Howard SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Robert Ingram SVP/Equipment Finance Director Julie Koop SVP/Human Resources Daniel Leary SVP/Business Banking Manager Nina E. Luongo SVP/Government Banking Richard Machtinger SVP/Commercial Real Estate Credit Officer Bernadette Macko SVP/Treasury Management Team Leader Timothy McNaught SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader Lisa Mills SVP/Compliance Officer Nancy Minette SVP/Professional Services Debra J. Morgan SVP/Regional Administrator M. Keith Niedergall SVP/Regional Administrator Andrea Pagiazitis SVP/Regional Administrator Anthony Penta SVP/Commercial Lending Team Leader David Pick SVP/Systems Architect Theresa Ruvo SVP/Branch Administrator Neill Schreyer SVP/Asset Recovery Manager Steve Seong SVP/Small Business Administration Team Leader Jerry Slavik SVP/Market Manager Linda Smith SVP/Construction Lending Administration Manager Susan K. Smith SVP/Credit Administration Manager Mandar Soman SVP/Operational Risk Manager Mary Stine SVP/Commercial and Industrial Credit Officer Robert Surovich SVP/Commercial Lending Relationship Manager Marlena Taglieri SVP/BSA-AML Officer Drew TerWaarbeek SVP/Regional Administrator Henrik Tvedt Jr. SVP/Product and Delivery Channel Manager Timothy Van Slooten SVP/Financial Services Program Manager David Ver Hage SVP/Loan Operations Officer Michael J. Vessa SVP/Commercial Lending Relationship Officer Bruno Viscariello SVP/Director of Mortgage Sales Margaret Volk SVP/Director of Mortgage and Consumer Lending Jeffrey Wichman SVP/Credit Manager LAKELAND BANK OFFICERS (cont’d.) CORPORATE ADVISORY COUNCIL Jon F. Hanson II, Council Chairman Chairman, The Hampshire Companies, LLC Daniel J. Geltrude, CPA Managing Member, Geltrude & Company, LLC Jerrold Grossman, PhD President, Genesis BPS Jerome Lombardo President, CJ Lombardo Company Bruce M. Meisel CEO, First Westwood Realty, LLC Carmen M. Penta, CPA Consultant, Addeo, Polacco & Penta, LLC Charles H. Shotmeyer President, Shotmeyer Brothers LAKELAND BANK OFFICES NEW JERSEY BERGEN Carlstadt 325 Garden Street Englewood 42 North Dean Street Fort Lee 180 Main Street Hackensack-Main Street 25 Main Street Hackensack-Polifly Road 9 Polifly Road Park Ridge 165 Kinderkamack Road Rochelle Park 1 East Passaic Street Teaneck 417 Cedar Lane Waldwick 64 Crescent Avenue Westwood 21 Jefferson Avenue Wyckoff 652 Wyckoff Avenue ESSEX Caldwell 49-53 Bloomfield Avenue Nutley 356 Franklin Avenue MERCER Hamilton 3659 Nottingham Way Hightstown 140 Mercer Street Hopewell 86 E Broad Street Princeton 2000 Windrows Drive NEW YORK ORANGE Highland Mills 556 State Route 32 North MIDDLESEX Cranbury North 2650 Route 130 & Dey Road Cranbury South 74 N Main Street Jamesburg 1 Harrison Street Perth Amboy 145 Fayette Street Plainsboro 11 Schalks Crossing Road MONMOUTH Asbury Park 511 Cookman Avenue Fair Haven 636 River Road Freehold 3441 US Highway 9 Little Silver 517 Prospect Avenue Long Branch 444 Ocean Blvd N Rumson 20 Bingham Avenue Shrewsbury 500 Broad Street MORRIS Boonton 321 West Main Street Butler 1410 Route 23 North Denville 55 Broadway Madison 265 Main Street Mendham 106 East Main Street, Suite A Milton 5729 Berkshire Valley Road Montville 166 Changebridge Road Morristown 151 South Street Pompton Plains-Cedar Crest Village 1 Cedar Crest Drive Wharton 350 North Main Street OCEAN Jackson 2120 West County Line Road Lakewood 500 River Avenue Manahawkin 280 Route 72 East Toms River East 1216 Route 37 East Toms River North 1012 Hooper Avenue PASSAIC Bloomingdale 28 Main Street Clifton 11 Ackerman Avenue Little Falls 86-88 Main Street Newfoundland 2717 Route 23 South Ringwood 45 Skyline Drive Totowa 650 Union Blvd # 1 Wanaque 103 Ringwood Avenue Wayne 231 Black Oak Ridge Road West Milford 1527 Union Valley Road SOMERSET Bernardsville 155 Morristown Hillsborough 32 New Amwell Road Skillman 995 Route 518 SUSSEX Andover 615 Route 206 North Branchville Downtown 3 Broad Street Franklin 25 Route 23 South Fredon 395 Route 94 North Lafayette 37 Route 15 South Newton-Hampton 11 Hampton House Road Sparta 7 Town Center Drive Stanhope 143 Route 183 North Wantage 455 Route 23 North Vernon 529 Route 515 South, Suite 101 UNION Summit 510 Morris Avenue REGIONAL LOAN OFFICES Bernardsville Cranbury Denville Fort Lee Freehold Highland Mills, NY Hillsborough Iselin Jackson Montville Oak Ridge Skillman Teaneck Toms River Totowa Waldwick Corporate Headquarters 250 Oak Ridge Road Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 Milton Annex 5736 Berkshire Valley Road Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 Milton Operations & Training Center 5716 Berkshire Valley Road P.O. Box 326 Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 CONNECTED TO OUR COMMUNITY Lakeland associates present a $15,000 grant to support St. Joseph’s Pediatric Dentistry Division. Lakeland associates present a $20,000 grant to Norwescap to support a Cultural and Community Center in Sussex Borough. Lakeland’s Golf Committee reveals the 2021 Scholarship Outing raised $200,000 which will be awarded to students in 2022. Lakeland associates present a $10,000 grant to Ocean’s Harbor House in Toms River to support the Supervised Transitional Living Program which provides housing, services and programs for homeless youth throughout the region. LAKELAND HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE LIVE AND WORK BY INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. Lakeland awards a $10,000 Community Impact Grant to Sussex County Community College to support a new Electrical Lineworker program. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 Form 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED December 31, 2021. ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO Commission file number: 000-17820 LAKELAND BANCORP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New Jersey (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 22-2953275 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 250 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, New Jersey 07438 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) (973) 697-2000 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Common Stock, no par value Trading Symbol LBAI Name of exchange on which registered The Nasdaq Stock Market Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒ 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 ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ 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 ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒ Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒ As of June 30, 2021, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $846,945,000, based on the closing sale price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, as of February 22, 2022, was 64,648,502. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III). LAKELAND BANCORP, INC. Form 10-K Index PART I Item 1. Item 1A. Item 1B. Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. Item 5. Item 6. Item 7. Business Risk Factors Unresolved Staff Comments Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures PART II Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Reserved Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 8. Item 9. Item 9A. Item 9B. Item 9C. Item 10. Item 11. Item 12. Item 13. Item 14. Item 15. Item 16. Signatures Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Procedures Other Information Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections PART III Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Principal Accounting Fees and Services PART IV Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules Form 10-K Summary PAGE 1 9 19 19 19 19 20 21 21 42 43 95 95 97 97 97 97 97 97 97 98 100 101 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] ITEM 1 - Business. PART I GENERAL Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Lakeland Bancorp”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Oak Ridge, New Jersey. The Company was organized in March 1989 and commenced operations on May 19, 1989, upon the consummation of the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Lakeland Bank, formerly named Lakeland State Bank (“Lakeland” or the “Bank” or “Lakeland Bank”). As of February 28, 2022, Lakeland operates 69 branch offices located throughout northern and central New Jersey and in Highland Mills, New York; six New Jersey regional commercial lending centers strategically located in our market area and one New York commercial lending center to serve the Hudson Valley region. Lakeland offers an extensive suite of financial products and services for businesses and consumers. The Company has grown through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Since 1998, the Company has acquired nine community banks with an aggregate asset total of approximately $4.16 billion, including its most recent acquisition of 1st Constitution Bank and its parent, 1st Constitution Bancorp ("1st Constitution Bancorp"), which was completed on January 6, 2022. At January 6, 2022, 1st Constitution Bancorp had approximately $1.88 billion in assets, $1.12 billion in loans and $1.65 billion in deposits. All of the acquired banks have been merged into Lakeland and the acquired holding companies, if applicable, have been merged into the Company. At December 31, 2021, Lakeland Bancorp had total consolidated assets of $8.20 billion, total consolidated deposits of $6.97 billion, total consolidated loans, net of the allowance for credit losses on loans, of $5.92 billion and total consolidated stockholders’ equity of $827.0 million. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Forward-Looking Statements”). Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such Forward-Looking Statements. Certain factors which could materially affect such results and the future performance of the Company are described in Item 1A - Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Commercial Bank Services Through Lakeland, the Company offers a broad range of lending, depository, and related financial services to individuals and small to medium sized businesses located primarily in northern and central New Jersey, the Hudson Valley region in New York and surrounding areas. In the lending area, these services include commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, short and medium term loans, lines of credit, letters of credit, inventory and accounts receivable financing, real estate construction loans, residential mortgage loans, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans and merchant credit card services. The Company participated in the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") beginning in April 2020. Through Lakeland’s equipment finance division, the Company provides a financing solution to small and medium- sized companies that prefer to lease equipment over other financial alternatives. Lakeland’s asset-based loan department provides commercial borrowers with another lending alternative. Depository products include demand deposits, as well as savings, money market and time accounts. Lakeland offers online banking, mobile banking and wire transfer services to the business community and municipal relationships. In addition, Lakeland offers cash management services, such as remote capture of deposits and overnight sweep repurchase agreements. Consumer Banking Lakeland also offers a broad range of consumer banking services, including checking accounts, savings accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, online banking, secured and unsecured loans, consumer installment loans, mortgage loans, and safe deposit services. Other Services Investment advisory services for individuals and businesses are also available. Additionally, the Bank provides commercial title insurance services through Lakeland Title Group LLC and life insurance products through Lakeland Financial Services Agency, Inc. Competition Lakeland faces intense competition in its market areas for deposits and loans from other depository institutions. Many of Lakeland’s depository institution competitors have substantially greater resources, broader geographic markets, and higher lending limits than Lakeland and are also able to provide more services and make greater use of media advertising. In recent years, intense market demands, economic pressures, increased customer awareness of products and services and the availability of electronic services have forced banking institutions to diversify their services and become more cost-effective. -1- Lakeland also competes with credit unions, brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market mutual funds, consumer finance companies, mortgage companies, fintechs and other financial companies, some of which are not subject to the same degree of regulation and restrictions as Lakeland in attracting deposits and making loans. Interest rates on deposit accounts, convenience of facilities, products and services, and marketing are all significant factors in the competition for deposits. Competition for loans comes from other commercial banks, savings institutions, insurance companies, consumer finance companies, credit unions, mortgage banking firms, financial technology and other institutional lenders. Lakeland primarily competes for loan originations through its structuring of loan transactions and the overall quality of service it provides. Competition is affected by the availability of lendable funds, general and local economic conditions, interest rates, and other factors that are not readily predictable. The Company expects that competition will continue or intensify in the future. Concentration The Company is not dependent on deposits or exposed by loan concentrations to a single customer or a few customers, the loss of any one or more of which would have a material adverse effect upon the financial condition of the Company. Human Capital Resources At December 31, 2021, the Company employed 717 associates, including 36 part-time associates, of which approximately 68% are women. The Company employed 711 associates, including 43 part-time associates at December 31, 2020. As a financial institution, approximately 52% of our associates are located at branch or loan production offices and the remainder are located at our administrative offices. The success of our business is highly dependent on our associates, who are dedicated to our mission to inspire and enable the communities we serve to achieve financial stability and success. We seek to hire well-qualified associates to sustain and build on our culture of service and performance. Our selection and promotion processes are without bias and include the active recruitment of minorities and women. None of our associates are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We encourage the growth and development of our associates and, whenever possible, seek to fill positions by promotion and transfer from within the Company. Continual learning and career development is advanced through annual performance and development conversations between associates and their managers, internally developed training programs, customized corporate training engagements and educational reimbursement programs. Our Leader Engagement and Development (LEAD) Program was launched in 2018 to foster leadership abilities and cultivate effective management approaches. To date, 51 associates have completed the program. Reimbursement is available to associates enrolled in pre- approved degree or certification programs at accredited institutions that teach skills or knowledge relevant to our business, in compliance with Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code, and for seminars, conferences and other training events associates attend in connection with their job duties or professional certification requirements. The safety, health and wellness of our associates is a top priority. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges with regard to maintaining associate safety while continuing successful operations. We instituted remote working plans at the start of the pandemic and were able to transition, over a short period of time, many of our eligible associates to effectively working from remote locations. We ensured a safely-distanced working environment for associates performing customer-facing activities at branches and operations centers, closing branch lobbies as necessary. All associates are prohibited from working on-site when they, or a close family member, experience symptoms of a possible COVID-19 illness and generally used their paid time off to cover compensation during such absences. On an ongoing basis, we further promote the health and wellness of our associates by strongly encouraging work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, keeping the associate portion of health care premiums to a minimum and sponsoring various wellness programs, whereby associates are encouraged to incorporate healthy habits into their daily routines. In 2020, we appointed our first Chief Diversity Officer, with a mandate to focus on workforce diversity, vendor/ supplier diversity and cultivating more diverse leadership, among other vital issues. We sponsor Share Your Voice “listening” roundtables for associates, with the assistance of outside experts. A Diversity Task Force was created to give associates more opportunity for input into relevant issues. We provided associates with access to information and assistance on topics ranging from diversity to wellness, parenting and other personal issues and concerns. Associate retention helps us operate efficiently and achieve our business objectives. We provide competitive wages, annual bonuses, stock awards, a 401(k) Plan with an employer matching contribution in addition to a discretionary employer annual contribution, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, family leave and an employee assistance program. At December 31, 2021, approximately 29% of our current staff had been with us for 10 years or more. -2- General SUPERVISION AND REGULATION The Company is a registered bank holding company under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Holding Company Act”), and is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board an annual report and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the Holding Company Act. The Company has also elected financial holding company status under the Modernization Act, as further discussed below. The Company is subject to examination by the Federal Reserve Board. Lakeland is a state chartered commercial bank subject to supervision and examination by the Department of Banking and Insurance of the State of New Jersey (the “Department”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The regulations of the State of New Jersey and FDIC govern most aspects of Lakeland’s business, including reserves against deposits, loans, investments, mergers and acquisitions, borrowings, dividends, and location of branch offices. Lakeland is subject to certain restrictions imposed by law on, among other things, (i) the maximum amount of obligations of any one person or entity which may be outstanding at any one time, (ii) investments in stock or other securities of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, and (iii) the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. The Holding Company Act The Holding Company Act limits the activities which may be engaged in by the Company and its subsidiaries to those of banking, the ownership and acquisition of assets and securities of banking organizations, and the management of banking organizations, and to certain non-banking activities which the Federal Reserve Board finds, by order or regulation, to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling a bank as to be a proper incident thereto. With respect to non-banking activities, the Federal Reserve Board has by regulation determined that several non- banking activities are closely related to banking within the meaning of the Holding Company Act and thus may be performed by bank holding companies. The Company has also elected "financial holding company" status, which allows it to engage in a broader array of financial activities than a standard bank holding company. Although the Company’s management periodically reviews other avenues of business opportunities that are included in that regulation, the Company has no present plans to engage in any of these activities other than providing investment brokerage services. With respect to the acquisition of banking organizations, the Company is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it may, by merger, purchase or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank or bank holding company, if, after such acquisition, it will own or control more than 5% of the voting shares of such bank or bank holding company. Regulation of Bank Subsidiaries There are various legal limitations, including Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, which govern the extent to which a bank subsidiary may finance or otherwise supply funds to its holding company or its holding company’s non- bank subsidiaries. Under federal law, no bank subsidiary may, subject to certain limited exceptions, make loans or extensions of credit to, or investments in the securities of, its parent or the non-bank subsidiaries of its parent (other than direct subsidiaries of such bank which are not financial subsidiaries) or take their securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. Each bank subsidiary is also subject to collateral security requirements for any loans or extensions of credit permitted by such exceptions. Commitments to Affiliated Institutions Federal law and Federal Reserve Board policy provides that a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support such subsidiary banks in circumstances in which it might not do so absent such policy. Interstate Banking The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 permits bank holding companies to acquire banks in states other than their home state, regardless of applicable state law. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) removes the restrictions on interstate branching contained in the Riegle-Neal Act, and allows national banks and state banks to establish branches in any state if, under the laws of the state in which the branch is to be located, a state bank chartered by that state would be permitted to establish the branch. -3- Regulation W Transactions between a bank and its “affiliates” are quantitatively and qualitatively restricted under the Federal Reserve Act. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act applies Sections 23A and 23B to insured nonmember banks in the same manner and to the same extent as if they were members of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board has also issued Regulation W, which codifies prior regulations under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and interpretative guidance with respect to affiliate transactions. Affiliates of a bank include, among other entities, the bank’s holding company and companies that are under common control with the bank. The Company is considered to be an affiliate of Lakeland. In general, subject to certain specified exemptions, a bank or its subsidiaries are limited in their ability to engage in “covered transactions” with affiliates: • • to an amount equal to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with any one affiliate; and to an amount equal to 20% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with all affiliates. In addition, a bank and its subsidiaries may engage in covered transactions and other specified transactions only on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank or its subsidiary, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies. A “covered transaction” includes: • • • • • a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate; a purchase of, or an investment in, securities issued by an affiliate; a purchase of assets from an affiliate, with some exceptions; the acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any party; and the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate. In addition, under Regulation W: • • • a bank and its subsidiaries may not purchase a low-quality asset from an affiliate; covered transactions and other specified transactions between a bank or its subsidiaries and an affiliate must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices; and with some exceptions, each loan or extension of credit by a bank to an affiliate must be secured by certain types of collateral with a market value ranging from 100% to 130%, depending on the type of collateral, of the amount of the loan or extension of credit. Regulation W generally excludes all non-bank and non-savings association subsidiaries of banks from treatment as affiliates, except to the extent that the Federal Reserve Board decides to treat these subsidiaries as affiliates or if the subsidiary is a "financial subsidiary" that engages in an activity that is not permitted for the bank directly. Community Reinvestment Act Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by FDIC regulations, a state bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community. The CRA requires the FDIC, in connection with its examination of a state non-member bank, to assess the bank’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take that record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by the bank. Under the FDIC’s CRA evaluation system, the FDIC focuses on three tests: (i) a lending test, to evaluate the institution’s record of making loans in its service areas; (ii) an investment test, to evaluate the institution’s record of investing in community development projects, affordable housing and programs benefiting low or moderate income individuals and businesses; and (iii) a service test, to evaluate the institution’s delivery of services through its branches, ATMs and other offices. Receipt of a "Needs to Improve" or "Substantial Noncompliance" ratings can, among other things, obstruct regulatory approval for new branches and mergers. The CRA requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. Lakeland Bank received an “Outstanding” CRA rating in its most recent examination. Securities and Exchange Commission The common stock of the Company is registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act. As a result, the Company and its officers, directors, and major stockholders are obligated to file certain reports with the SEC. The Company is subject to proxy and tender offer rules promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website at http:// www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, such as the Company. -4- The Company maintains a website at http://www.lakelandbank.com. The Company makes available on its website, free of charge, the proxy statements and reports on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q that it files with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Additionally, the Company has adopted and posted on its website a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Company intends to disclose any amendments to or waivers of the Code of Ethics on its website. Effect of Government Monetary Policies The earnings of the Company are and will be affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have had, and will likely continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through the Board’s power to implement national monetary policy in order to, among other things, curb inflation or combat a recession. The Federal Reserve Board has a major effect upon the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its open market operations in United States government securities and through its regulation of, among other things, the discount rate of borrowings of banks and the reserve requirements against bank deposits. It is not possible to predict the nature and impact of future changes in monetary fiscal policies. Dividend Restrictions The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from Lakeland. Virtually all of the revenue of the Company available for payment of dividends on its capital stock will result from amounts paid to the Company by Lakeland. All such dividends are subject to various limitations imposed by federal and state laws and by regulations and policies adopted by federal and state regulatory agencies. Under New Jersey state law, a bank may not pay dividends unless, following the dividend payment, the capital stock of the bank would be unimpaired and either (a) the bank will have a surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock, or, if not, (b) the payment of the dividend will not reduce the surplus of the bank. If, in the opinion of the FDIC, a bank under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice (which could include the payment of dividends), the FDIC may require that such bank cease and desist from such practice or, as a result of an unrelated practice, require the bank to limit dividends in the future. The Federal Reserve Board has similar authority with respect to bank holding companies. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have issued policy statements which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. Regulatory pressures to reclassify and charge off loans and to establish additional credit loss reserves can have the effect of reducing current operating earnings and thus impacting an institution’s ability to pay dividends. Further, as described herein, the regulatory authorities have established guidelines with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by a bank or bank holding company under their jurisdiction. Compliance with the standards set forth in these policy statements and guidelines could limit the amount of dividends which the Company and Lakeland may pay. Banking institutions that fail to maintain the minimum capital ratios, or that maintain the requisite minimum capital ratios but do so at a level below the minimum capital ratios plus the applicable capital conservation buffer, will face constraints on their ability to pay dividends. See “Capital Requirements” below. Capital Requirements Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA), each federal institution would be banking agency has promulgated regulations, considered “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” or “critically undercapitalized,” and to take certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions based on the capital level of the institution. To qualify to engage in activities as a financial holding company under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, all depository institutions must be “well capitalized.” The financial holding company of a bank will be put under directives to raise its capital levels or divest its activities if the depository institution falls from that level. specifying the levels at which a financial In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the Comptroller of the Currency adopted final rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations (the “Basel Rules”). The Basel for Rules implemented the Basel Committee’s December 2010 framework, commonly referred to as Basel strengthening international capital standards as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, as discussed below. The Basel Rules substantially revised the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions, including the Company and Lakeland, compared to prior U.S. risk-based capital rules. The Basel Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The Basel Rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios and replace the existing risk-weighting approach, which was derived from Basel I capital accords of the Basel Committee, with a more risk-sensitive approach based, in part, on the standardized approach in the Basel Committee’s 2004 Basel II capital accords. The Basel Rules also implement the requirements of Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act to remove references to credit ratings from the federal banking agencies’ rules. III, The Basel Rules became effective for us on January 1, 2015 (subject to phase-in periods for certain components). -5- For bank holding companies and banks like the Company and Lakeland, January 1, 2015 was the start date for compliance with the revised minimum regulatory capital ratios and for determining risk-weighted assets under what the Basel Rules call a “standardized approach.” As of January 1, 2015, the Company and Lakeland were required to maintain the following minimum capital ratios, expressed as a percentage of risk-weighted assets: • • • Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 4.5% (this is referred to as the “CET1”); Tier 1 Capital Ratio (CET1 capital plus “Additional Tier 1 capital”) of 6.0%; and Total Capital Ratio (Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital) of 8.0%. In addition, the Company and Lakeland are subject to a leverage ratio requirement of 4.0% (calculated as Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets as reported on the consolidated financial statements). The Basel Rules also require a “capital conservation buffer.” As of the full phase-in on January 1, 2019, the Company and Lakeland were required to maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer, in addition to the minimum capital ratios described above, effectively resulting in the following minimum capital ratios on January 1, 2019: • • • CET1 of 7.0%; Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 8.5%; and Total Capital Ratio of 10.5%. The purpose of the capital conservation buffer is to ensure that banking organizations conserve capital when it is needed most, allowing them to weather periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a CET1, Tier 1 Capital Ratio and Total Capital Ratio above the minimum capital ratios but below the minimum capital ratios plus the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on their ability to pay dividends, repurchase equity and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers, based on the amount of the shortfall. The Basel Rules provide for several deductions from and adjustments to CET1, which were phased in as of January 1, 2018. For example, mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income were required to be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one of those categories exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceeded 15% of CET1. However, subsequent regulatory amendments raised the limit on mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets to 25% of CETI and removed the aggregate limit. Under prior capital standards, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income items included in capital were excluded for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Under the Basel Rules, the effects of certain accumulated other comprehensive income items are not excluded; however, banking organizations such as the Company and Lakeland were permitted to make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items effective as of January 1, 2015. Lakeland Bancorp and Lakeland Bank made such an election to continue to exclude these items. While the Basel Rules generally require the phase-out of non-qualifying capital instruments such as trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock, holding companies with less than $15 billion in total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009, such as the Company, were permitted to permanently include non-qualifying instruments that were issued and included in Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital prior to May 19, 2010 in Additional Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital until they redeem such instruments or until the instruments mature. The Basel Rules prescribe a standardized approach for calculating risk-weighted assets that expands the risk-weighting categories from the previous four categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. Government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories. In addition, the Basel Rules provide more advantageous risk weights for derivatives and repurchase-style transactions cleared through a qualifying central counterparty and increase the scope of eligible guarantors and eligible collateral for purposes of credit risk mitigation. Consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act, the Basel Rules adopt alternatives to credit ratings for calculating the risk- weighting for certain assets. With respect to Lakeland, the Basel Rules revise the “prompt corrective action” regulations under Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act by (i) introducing a CET1 ratio requirement at each capital quality level (other than critically undercapitalized), with the required CET1 ratio being 6.5% for well-capitalized status (a new standard); (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category, with the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio for well-capitalized status being 8% (increased from 6%); and (iii) requiring a leverage ratio of 5% to be well-capitalized (increased from the previously required leverage ratio of 3% or 4%). The Basel Rules do not change the total risk-based capital requirement for any “prompt corrective action” category. -6- Effective as of January 1, 2015, the FDIC’s regulations implementing these provisions of FDICIA provide that an institution will be classified as “well capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of at least 6.5 percent, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent, and (v) meets certain other requirements. An institution will be classified as “adequately capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of at least 4.5 percent, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4.0 percent, and (v) does not meet the definition of “well capitalized.” An institution will be classified as “undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of less than 4.5 percent or (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 4.0 percent. An institution will be classified as “significantly undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of less than 3.0 percent or (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3.0 percent. An institution will be classified as “critically undercapitalized” if it has a tangible equity to total assets ratio that is equal to or less than 2.0 percent. An insured depository institution may be deemed to be in a lower capitalization category if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating. As of December 31, 2021, the Company and Lakeland met all capital requirements under the Basel Rules as then in effect, including the fully phased-in capital conservation buffer requirement. The Bank was classified as "well capitalized" on that date. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”) was signed into law in May 2018. The EGRRCPA, among other matters, amended the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require federal banking agencies to develop a specified Community Bank Leverage Ratio (the ratio of a bank's Tier 1 capital to its average total consolidated assets) for banks with assets of less than $10 billion. Qualifying participating banks that exceed this ratio shall be deemed to comply with all other capital and leverage requirements. In September 2019, the FDIC approved a final rule allowing community banks with a leverage capital ratio of at least 9% to be considered in compliance with Basel III capital requirements and exempt from the Basel Rules calculations. Under the final rule, banks with less than $10 billion in assets may elect the Community Bank Leverage Ratio framework if they meet the 9% ratio and if they hold 25% or less of assets in off-balance-sheet exposures, and 5% or less of assets in trading assets and liabilities. For institutions that fall below the 9% capital requirement but remain above 8%, the final rule establishes a two-quarter grace period to either meet the qualifying criteria again or comply with the generally applicable capital rule. An eligible financial institution that opts into this new framework and then fails to satisfy this new framework after expiration of the grace period will then be required to satisfy the generally applicable capital requirements. Management did not elect to use the Community Bank Leverage Ratio framework. Federal Deposit Insurance and Premiums Lakeland’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the basic federal deposit insurance limit was permanently increased to $250,000. In November 2010, the FDIC approved a rule to change the assessment base from adjusted domestic deposits to average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The FDIC’s rule also lowered the total base assessment rates, which are now established for banks of less than $10 billion of assets at 1.5 to 16 basis points for banks with the strongest composite examination rating, and 11 to 30 basis points for banks in the highest risk category with the weakest examination rating. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has established 2.0% as the designated reserve ratio (“DRR”), that is, the ratio of the DIF to insured deposits. The FDIC adopted a plan under which the DIF will meet the statutory minimum DRR of 1.35% by September 30, 2020, the deadline imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act required the FDIC to offset the effect on institutions with assets less than $10 billion of the increase in the statutory minimum DRR to 1.35% from the former statutory minimum of 1.15%. In March 2016, the FDIC adopted a rule that imposes a surcharge on the quarterly assessments of insured depository institutions with total consolidated assets of $10 billion or more. The surcharge equaled an annual rate of 4.5 basis points applied to the institution’s assessment base, with certain adjustments. When the DIF Reserve Ratio is at or above 1.38% in a given quarter, credits were applied to banks' assessment payments. The Company began receiving the Small Bank Assessment credit in the third quarter of 2019 and, as a result, made no FDIC assessment payments in the third and fourth quarter of 2019. Full payments to the FDIC resumed in the second quarter of 2020. The Company paid $2.3 million and $2.1 million in total FDIC assessments in 2021 and 2020, respectively. -7- CARES Act The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and provided over $2.0 trillion in emergency economic relief to individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized the SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under a new 7(a) loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"). As a qualified SBA lender, we were automatically authorized to originate PPP loans. An eligible business could apply for a PPP loan up to the lesser of (1) 2.5 times its average monthly payroll costs or (2) $10.0 million. PPP loans have (a) an interest rate of 1.00%, (b) a two-year loan term to maturity; and (c) principal and interest payments deferred for six months from the date of the disbursement. The SBA guarantees 100% of the PPP loans made to eligible borrowers. The entire principal amount of the borrower's PPP loan is eligible to be reduced by the loan forgiveness amount under the PPP so long as employee and compensation levels of the business are maintained and 75% of the loan proceeds are used for payroll expenses, with the remaining 25% of the loan proceeds used for other qualifying expenses. In June 2020, Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act ("PPP Flexibility") to ease provisions of PPP related to the time period permitted to use the proceeds of loans, the deferral period of principal and interest payments on loans not forgiven and an extension of the maturity date of loan and loan forgiveness on loans. Key changes included (a) extending from two to five years the minimum maturity of any remaining loan balance after an application for loan forgiveness (for those loans closed after the enactment of PPP Flexibility); (b) extending the “covered period” (i.e., when costs that are eligible for forgiveness must be paid or incurred) from eight weeks to 24 weeks (or December 31, 2020, whichever is earlier); (c) reducing from 75 percent to 60 percent the amount of loan proceeds that must be used for payroll costs although the remainder must continue to be allocated to interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities; (d) permitting an exemption from reductions in loan forgiveness amounts based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees if the borrower, in good faith, documents an inability to return to the same level of business activity due to standards for sanitation, social distancing, or other worker or customer safety requirements established by the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS"), the Center for Disease Control ("CDC") or Occupational, Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"); and (e) allowing deferral of payments until the amount of forgiveness is remitted by the SBA to the lender or, if the borrower has not applied for forgiveness, ten months after the expiration of the covered period. The provisions of PPP Flexibility became effective upon enactment and will apply to all loans made under the PPP. The SBA released guidance on PPP loan forgiveness, which presently includes three different application methods depending primarily on the size of the PPP loan, reductions in staffing or salaries, or a business’ inability to operate at pre-COVID levels due to compliance with certain federally imposed requirements related to COVID-19. To qualify for full forgiveness, businesses must document that at least 60% of the PPP loan amount was used towards payroll costs and that the remaining 40% was used for other eligible costs such as mortgage interest, rent payments and/or utilities. Forgiveness was originally intended to be reduced by any Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) advance amount the business received. Section 4013 of the CARES Act, as interpreted by the "Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working With Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised)" (the “Revised Statement”), dated April 17, 2020, includes criteria that enable financial institutions to exclude from TDR status loans that are modified in connection with COVID-19. Under these provisions, TDR status is not required for the term of a loan modification if (i) the loan modification is made in connection with COVID-19, (ii) the loan was not past due more than 30 days as of December 31, 2019 and (iii) the loan modification is entered into during the period between March 1, 2020, and the earlier of (a) 60 days after COVID-19 is no longer characterized as a National Emergency or (b) December 31, 2020. Furthermore, pursuant to the Revised Statement, for loan modifications that do not meet these criteria but are made in connection with COVID-19, such loans may be presumed not to be TDR if they are current at a time the loan modification program was implemented and the modifications are short-term (e.g., six months). If the criteria are not met under either Section 4013 or the Revised Statement, banks are required to follow their existing accounting policies to determine whether COVID-related modifications should be accounted for as a TDR. The CARES Act also provided financial institutions with the option to defer adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326) ("ASU 2016-13") until the earlier of the end of the national emergency or December 31, 2020. The CARES Act also required the federal banking agencies to temporarily lower the Community Bank Leverage Ratio from 9% of average total consolidated assets to 8% for the remainder of 2020. The ratio rose to 8.5% for calendar year 2021 and will revert to 9% thereafter. -8- On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the "CAA") was signed into law. In addition to providing funding for normal government operations, this bill provides for additional COVID-19 relief. The CAA extended certain provisions of the CARES Act, provided additional funding for others and contained new relief provisions. CAA eliminated the reduction PPP forgiveness by EIDL received and extended loan modification deadline to the end of the National Emergency or December 31, 2021. CAA further extended the option to delay ASU 2016-13 implementation until January 1, 2022; however, the Company has adopted this standard as of December 31, 2020, and has applied it retroactively to January 1, 2020. The Company has elected to suspend the classification of loan modifications as TDR if they qualify under all applicable guidance. Change in Control Act Under the Change in Bank Control Act, no person (including a company or other business entity) may acquire “control” of a bank or bank holding company, unless the appropriate federal agency has been given 60 days’ prior written notice and has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition. The agency takes into consideration certain factors, including the competence, experience, integrity and financial resources of the acquirer and the competitive effects of the acquisition. Control, as defined under federal law, means ownership, control of or holding irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock, control in any manner of the election of a majority of the institution’s directors, or a determination by the regulator that the acquirer has the power, directly or indirectly, to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of the institution. There is a presumption of control upon the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock under certain circumstances, such as where the company involved has its shares registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any “company”, as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, would be required to receive the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire “control” of the company or bank, as defined in that statute and Federal Reserve Board regulations, and would then be regulated as a bank holding company. New Jersey law specifies similar prior approval requirements by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance for acquisitions of New Jersey banks or holding companies. Proposed Legislation From time to time proposals are made in the United States Congress, the New Jersey Legislature, and before various bank regulatory authorities, which would alter the powers of, and place restrictions on, different types of banking organizations. It is impossible to predict the impact, if any, of potential legislative trends on the business of the Company and its subsidiaries. ITEM 1A - Risk Factors. Our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows can be affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth below, any one of which could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from our anticipated future results. Credit Risks Our allowance for credit losses on loans may not be adequate to cover actual losses. Like all commercial banks, Lakeland Bank maintains an allowance for credit losses on loans to provide for loan defaults and non-performance. If our allowance for credit losses on loans is not adequate to cover actual loan losses, we may be required to significantly increase future provisions for credit losses on loans, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, pertaining to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments ("CECL"), on December 31, 2020, effective January 1, 2020. This update requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions, such as Lakeland, and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Our CECL methodology includes the following key factors and assumptions for all loan portfolio segments: a) the calculation of a baseline lifetime loss by applying a segment-specific historical average annual loss rate, calculated using an open pool method, applied over the remaining life of each instrument; b) a single set of economic forecast inputs for the reasonable and supportable period; c) a reasonable and supportable forecast period, which reflects management's expectations of losses based on forward-looking economic scenarios over that time; d) baseline lifetime loss rates adjusted for changes in macroeconomic conditions over the reasonable and supportable forecast period via a series of adjustment factors developed using a third-party developed and supported top-down statistical model suite that uses a set of relevant economic forecast inputs sourced from a leading global forecasting firm; e) a reversion period (after the reasonable and supportable forecast period) using a straight-line approach; f) a historical loss period which represents a full economic credit cycle (with the exception of equipment finance loans which uses a shorter time period due to circumstances unique to that segment); and g) expected prepayment rates estimated on more recent historical experience adjusted for refinance incentive, seasoning and burnout, as applicable. The amount of future losses is affected by changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, many of which are beyond our control. These losses may exceed our current estimates. The Company also -9- considers five standard qualitative general reserve factors ("qualitative adjustments"): nature and volume of loans, lending management, policy and procedures, independent review and changes in environment. Qualitative adjustments are designed to address risks that are not captured in the quantitative reserves (“quantitative reserve”). Other qualitative adjustments or model overlays may also be recorded based on expert credit judgment in circumstances where, in the Company’s view, the standard qualitative reserve factors do not capture all relevant risk factors. Federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review our loans and the corresponding allowance for credit losses. While we believe that our allowance for credit losses on loans in relation to our current loan portfolio is adequate to cover current and expected losses, we cannot assure you that we will not need to increase our allowance for credit losses on loans or that the regulators will not require us to increase this allowance. Future increases in our allowance for credit losses on loans could materially and adversely affect our earnings and profitability. Under the CECL model, we are required to present certain financial assets carried at amortized cost, such as loans held for investment and held-to-maturity debt securities, at the net amount expected to be collected. This differs significantly from the "incurred loss" model required under previous GAAP, which delayed recognition until it was probable a loss had been incurred. Accordingly, the adoption of the CECL model significantly affected how we determined our allowance for credit losses on loans and may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for credit losses. Any future quarterly changes to our allowance will depend on the current state of the economy, forecasted macroeconomic conditions, the composition and performance of our loan portfolio at the time and other factors captured through qualitative adjustments, including idiosyncratic factors. The concentration of our commercial real estate loan portfolio may subject us to increased regulatory analysis, or otherwise adversely affect our business and operating results. The FDIC, the Federal Reserve and the OCC have promulgated joint guidance on sound risk management practices for financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate (CRE) lending. The 2006 interagency guidance did not establish specific CRE lending limits or caps; rather, the guidance set forth supervisory criteria to serve as levels of bank CRE concentration above which certain financial institutions may be identified for further supervisory analysis. According to the guidelines, institutions could be subject to further analysis if (i) their loans for construction, land, and land development (CLD) represent 100% or more of the institution's total risk-based capital, or (ii) their total non-owner occupied CRE loans (including CLD loans), as defined, represent 300% or more of the institution’s total risk-based capital, and further, that the institution’s non-owner occupied CRE loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the previous 36 months. The Bank’s total reported CLD loans represented 35% of total risk-based capital at December 31, 2021. The Bank’s total reported CRE loans to total capital was 423% at December 31, 2021, while the Bank’s CRE portfolio has increased by 40% over the preceding 36 months. The growth rate of the preceding 36 months included the acquisition of Highlands State Bank. The Bank’s CRE portfolio is segmented and spread among various property types including retail, office, multi-family, mixed use, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, special use and residential and commercial construction. Management regularly reviews and evaluates its CRE portfolio, including concentrations within the various property types based on current market conditions and risk appetite as well as by utilizing stress testing on material exposures and believes its underwriting practices are sound. There is no assurance that in the future we will not exceed the levels set forth in the guidelines. Furthermore, the concentration of our commercial real estate portfolio could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results, including our overall profitability, and/or adversely impact the growth of our business, including the growth and composition of our overall loan portfolio. Our mortgage banking operations expose us to risks that are different than the risks associated with our retail banking operations. The Bank’s mortgage banking operations are dependent upon the level of demand for residential mortgages. During higher and rising interest rate environments, the level of refinancing activity tends to decline, which can lead to reduced volumes of business and lower revenues that may not exceed our fixed costs to run the business. In addition, mortgages sold to third-party investors are typically subject to certain repurchase provisions related to borrower refinancing, defaults, fraud or other reasons stipulated in the applicable third-party investor agreements. If the fair value of a loan when repurchased is less than the fair value when sold, a bank may be required to charge such shortfall to earnings. In addition, the “ability to repay” and “Qualified Mortgage” rules promulgated as required by the Dodd-Frank Act (as amended or supplemented to date, including by the EGRRCPA (see "Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation - Capital Requirements" above), may expose the Company to greater losses, reduced volume and litigation related expenses and delays in taking title to collateral real estate, if these loans do not perform and borrowers challenge whether the rules were satisfied when originating the loans. -10- We are subject to various lending and other economic risks that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Economic, political and market conditions, trends in industry and finance, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies and inflation affect our business. These factors are beyond our control. A deterioration in economic conditions, particularly in the markets we lend in, could have the following consequences, any of which could materially adversely affect our business: • • • • loan delinquencies may increase; problem assets and foreclosures may increase; demand for our products and services may decrease; and collateral for loans made by us may decline in value, in turn reducing the borrowing ability of our customers. Deterioration in the real estate market, particularly in New Jersey and the metropolitan New York area, could adversely affect our business. A decline in real estate values in New Jersey and the metropolitan New York area would reduce our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the underlying real estate, which would increase the possibility that we may suffer losses on defaulted loans. We may suffer losses in our loan portfolio despite our underwriting practices. We seek to mitigate the risks inherent in our loan portfolio by adhering to specific underwriting practices. Although we believe that our underwriting criteria are appropriate for the various kinds of loans that we make, we may incur losses on loans that meet our underwriting criteria, and these losses may exceed the amounts set aside as reserves in our allowance for credit losses on loans. Liquidity and Interest Rate Risks We are subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates that may negatively affect our financial performance. We are unable to predict actual fluctuations of market interest rates. Rate fluctuations are influenced by many factors, including: • • • • • • • inflation or deflation excess growth or recession; a rise or fall in unemployment; tightening or expansion of the money supply; domestic and international disorder; instability in domestic and foreign financial markets; and actions taken or statements made by the Federal Reserve Board. Both increases and decreases in the interest rate environment may reduce our profits. We expect that we will continue to realize income from the difference or “spread” between the interest we earn on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets and the interest we pay on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest spreads are affected by the differences between the maturities and repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Our interest-earning assets may not reprice as slowly or rapidly as our interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest spread, asset quality, levels of prepayments, cash flows, market value of our securities portfolio, loan and deposit growth, costs and yields on loans and deposits and our overall profitability. Competition for our deposits can increase significantly as a result of the interest rate environment. The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve Board (the "FOMC") lowered the federal funds rate to near zero percent in 2020. However, the FOMC has indicated that it intends to raise interest rates beginning in 2022. A sustained increase in market interest rates could adversely affect our earnings. A significant portion of our loans have fixed interest rates and longer terms than our deposits and borrowings. As is the case with many banks and savings institutions, our emphasis on gathering core deposits, which have no stated maturity date, has resulted in our interest-bearing liabilities having a shorter duration than our asset. Our net interest income could be adversely affected if the rates we pay on deposits and borrowings increase more rapidly than the rates we earn on loans. -11- A decrease in our ability to borrow funds could adversely affect our liquidity. Our ability to obtain funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") or through our overnight federal funds lines with other banks could be negatively affected if we experienced a substantial deterioration in our financial condition or if such funding became restricted due to deterioration in the financial markets. While we have a contingency funds management plan to address such a situation if it were to occur (such plan includes deposit promotions, the sale of securities and the curtailment of loan growth, if necessary), a significant decrease in our ability to borrow funds could adversely affect our liquidity. Public funds deposits are an important source of funds for us and a reduced level of those deposits may hurt our profits and liquidity. Public funds deposits are a significant source of funds for our lending and investment activities. The Company’s public funds deposits consist of deposits from local government entities, domiciled in the state of New Jersey, such as school districts, counties and other municipalities, and are collateralized by letters of credit from the FHLB and investment securities. Given our use of these high-average balance public funds deposits as a source of funds, our inability to retain such funds could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has proposed the creation of a state-owned bank which would accept public revenues to be invested in New Jersey. A bill was introduced in the New Jersey legislature in January 2018 that calls for the establishment of such a state-run bank. The legislation remains pending, and while no assurance can be provided that such a bank will be created, to the extent that a state-run bank is established and accepts public revenues, the amount of the Company’s public funds deposits could be reduced, which could adversely affect our liquidity. Further, our public funds deposits are primarily demand deposit accounts or short-term time deposits and are therefore more sensitive to interest rate risks. If we are forced to pay higher rates on our public funds accounts to retain those funds, or if we are unable to retain such funds and we are forced to resort to other sources of funds for our lending and investment activities, such as borrowings from the FHLB, the interest expense associated with these other funding sources may be higher than the rates we are currently paying on our public funds deposits, which would adversely affect our net income. The transition from LIBOR as a reference rate may adversely impact our net income. In 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021 it would no longer compel banks to submit the rates required to calculate the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). The use of LIBOR in new contracts was discontinued on December 31, 2021. Certain USD LIBOR tenors will continue to be published on a representative basis until June 30, 2023. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become acceptable alternatives to LIBOR and it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on the value of LIBOR-based securities and variable rate loans, subordinated debentures or other securities or financial arrangements, given LIBOR's role in determining market interest rates globally. Regulators, industry groups and certain committees (e.g., the Alternative Reference Rates Committee) have, among other things, published recommended fall-back language for LIBOR-linked financial instruments, identified recommended alternatives for certain LIBOR rates (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as the recommended alternative to U.S. Dollar LIBOR), and proposed implementations of the recommended alternatives in floating rate instruments. At this time, it is not possible to predict whether these specific recommendations and proposals will be broadly accepted, whether they will continue to evolve, and what the effect of their implementation may be on the markets for floating-rate financial instruments. We have a significant number of loans, derivative contracts, borrowings and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. The transition from LIBOR could create considerable costs and additional risk. Since proposed alternative rates are calculated differently, payments under contracts referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition will change our market risk profiles, requiring changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies. Furthermore, failure to adequately manage this transition process with our customers could adversely impact our reputation. Although we are currently unable to assess what the ultimate impact of the transition from LIBOR will be, failure to adequately manage the transition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Declines in value may adversely impact our investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $1.59 billion in its investment portfolio, with $770.0 million designated as available for sale and $825.0 million designated as held to maturity. For securities available for sale, ASU 2016-13 requires entities to determine if impairment is related to credit loss or non-credit loss. If an assessment of the security indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security, and if the present value of cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance is created, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Held to maturity securities are evaluated under the allowance for credit losses model. Held to maturity securities are charged off against the allowance when deemed to be uncollectible and adjustments to the allowance are reported as a component of credit loss expense. If the credit loss expense is significant enough it could affect the ability of Lakeland to upstream dividends to the -12- Company, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to pay dividends to shareholders and could also negatively impact our regulatory capital ratios. Information Technology or Cybersecurity Risks The occurrence of any failure, breach, or interruption in service involving our systems or those of our service providers could damage our reputation, cause losses, increase our expenses, and result in a loss of customers, an increase in regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possibly financial liability, any of which could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock. In the ordinary course of business, we rely on electronic communications and information systems to conduct our operations and to store sensitive data. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in significant disruption to our operations. Information security breaches and cybersecurity-related incidents may include, but are not limited to, attempts to access information, including customer and company information, malicious code, computer viruses and denial of service attacks that could result in unauthorized access, misuse, loss or destruction of data (including confidential customer information), account takeovers, unavailability of service or other events. These types of threats may derive from human error, fraud or malice on the part of external or internal parties, or may result from accidental technological failure. Further, to access our products and services our customers may use computers and mobile devices that are beyond our security control systems. Our technologies, systems, networks and software, and those of other financial institutions have been, and are likely to continue to be, the target of cybersecurity threats and attacks, which may range from uncoordinated individual attempts to sophisticated and targeted measures directed at us. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber attack or cyber intrusion, has increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. Our business requires the collection and retention of large volumes of customer data, including personally identifiable information in various information systems that we maintain and in those maintained by third parties with whom we contract to provide data services. We also maintain important internal company data such as personally identifiable information about our employees and information relating to our operations. The integrity and protection of that customer and company data is important to our business and our reputation. Our collection of such customer and company data is subject to extensive regulation and oversight. Our customers and employees have been, and will continue to be, targeted by parties using fraudulent e-mails and other communications in attempts to misappropriate passwords, bank account information or other personal information or to introduce viruses or other malware through “Trojan horse” programs to our information systems and/or our customers' computers. Though we endeavor to mitigate these threats through product improvements, use of encryption and authentication technology and customer and employee education, such cyber attacks against us, our merchants and our third party service providers remain a serious issue. The pervasiveness of cybersecurity incidents in general and the risks of cyber crime are complex and continue to evolve. More generally, publicized information concerning security and cyber-related problems could inhibit the use or growth of electronic or web-based applications or solutions as a means of conducting commercial transactions. Although we make significant efforts to maintain the security and integrity of our information systems and have implemented various measures to manage the risk of a security breach or disruption, there can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging. Even the most well protected information, networks, systems and facilities remain potentially vulnerable because attempted security breaches, particularly cyber attacks and intrusions, or disruptions will occur in the future, and because the techniques used in such attempts are constantly evolving and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed not to be detected and, in fact, may not be detected. Accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures, and thus it is virtually impossible for us to entirely mitigate this risk. While we maintain specific “cyber” insurance coverage, which would apply in the event of various breach scenarios, the amount of coverage may not be adequate in any particular case. Furthermore, because cyber threat scenarios are inherently difficult to predict and can take many forms, some breaches may not be covered under our cyber insurance coverage. A security breach or other significant disruption of our information systems or those related to our customers, merchants and our third party vendors, including as a result of cyber attacks, could (i) disrupt the proper functioning of our networks and systems and therefore our operations and/or those of certain of our customers; (ii) result in the unauthorized access to, and destruction, loss, theft, misappropriation or release of confidential, sensitive or otherwise valuable information of ours or our customers; (iii) result in a violation of applicable privacy, data breach and other laws, subjecting us to additional regulatory scrutiny and expose us to civil litigation, governmental fines and possible financial liability; (iv) require significant management attention and resources to remedy the damages that result; or (v) harm our reputation or cause a decrease in the number of customers that choose to do business with us. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. -13- The inability to stay current with technological change could adversely affect our business model. Financial institutions continually are required to maintain and upgrade technology in order to provide the most current products and services to their customers, as well as create operational efficiencies. This technology requires personnel resources, as well as significant costs to implement. Failure to successfully implement technological change could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company embarked on a digital strategy initiative in 2019, which impacts all operational areas of the Bank. There are no guarantees that enhancing the Company's digital capabilities will expand Lakeland's market presence as a community bank or result the cost of implementation and the anticipated increase in revenue may not occur as expected. in an ability to better compete long-term in a fast-paced digital marketplace. In addition, Our operations rely on certain third party vendors. We rely on certain external vendors to provide products and services necessary to maintain our day-to-day operations. These third party vendors are sources of operational and informational security risk to us, including risks associated with operational errors, information system interruptions or breaches and unauthorized disclosures of sensitive or confidential client or customer information. If these vendors encounter any of these issues, or if we have difficulty communicating with them, we could be exposed to disruption of operations, loss of service or connectivity to customers, reputational damage, and litigation risk that could have a material adverse effect on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our operations are exposed to risk that these vendors will not perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements. While we have selected these external vendors carefully, we do not control their actions. The failure of an external vendor to perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements, because of changes in the vendor’s organizational structure, financial condition, support for existing products and services or strategic focus or for any other reason, could be disruptive to our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations. Replacing these external vendors could also entail significant delay and expense. Legal and Regulatory Risks The Company and the Bank are subject to more stringent capital and liquidity requirements. More stringent capital requirements have been imposed on bank holding companies such as Lakeland Bancorp by, among other things, imposing leverage ratios on bank holding companies and prohibiting new trust preferred issuances from counting as Tier I capital. These restrictions limit our future capital strategies. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, our currently outstanding trust preferred securities will continue to count as Tier I capital, but we will be unable to issue replacement or additional trust preferred securities which would count as Tier I capital. As further described above under “Item 1. Business-Supervision and Regulation-Capital Requirements,” banks and bank holding companies are required to maintain a capital conservation buffer on top of minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. Banking institutions which do not maintain capital in excess of the Basel Rule standards including the capital conservation buffer face constraints on the payment of dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. Accordingly, if the Bank fails to maintain the applicable minimum capital ratios and the capital conservation buffer, distributions to Lakeland Bancorp may be prohibited or limited. Future increases in minimum capital requirements could adversely affect our net income. Furthermore, our failure to comply with the minimum capital requirements could result in our regulators taking formal or informal actions against us which could restrict our future growth or operations. The extensive regulation and supervision to which we are subject impose substantial restrictions on our business. The Company, Lakeland and certain non-bank subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole. Such laws are not designed to protect our shareholders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. We are also subject to numerous laws and regulations designed to protect consumers. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act and other fair lending laws and regulations impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. Lakeland is also subject to a number of laws which, among other things, govern its lending practices and require the Bank to establish and maintain comprehensive programs relating to anti-money laundering and customer identification. -14- The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board periodically examine our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB" has the authority to examine us for compliance with federal consumer financial laws. The U.S. Department of Justice also has enforcement authority over fair lending laws. If a regulator were to determine that any aspect of our operations had become unsatisfactory or were in violation of any law or regulation, it may take a number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate, including enjoining “unsafe or unsound” practices, requiring affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, issuing an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, directing an increase in our capital, restricting our growth (including restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity, geographic expansion or entering into new lines of business, assessing civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, removing officers and directors or, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, terminating our deposit insurance and placing us into receivership or conservatorship. If we become subject to any regulatory actions, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth prospects. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution's performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. The United States Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies including changes in interpretation or for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non- banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputational damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Lakeland’s ability to pay dividends is subject to regulatory limitations which, to the extent that our holding company requires such dividends in the future, may affect our holding company’s ability to pay its obligations and pay dividends to shareholders. As a bank holding company, the Company is a separate legal entity from Lakeland Bank and its subsidiaries, and we do not have significant operations of our own. We currently depend on Lakeland Bank’s cash and liquidity to pay our operating expenses and dividends to shareholders. The availability of dividends from Lakeland Bank is limited by various statutes and regulations. The inability of the Company to receive dividends from Lakeland Bank could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects and the Company’s ability to pay dividends. In addition, as described under “Item 1. Business-Supervision and Regulation-Capital Requirements,” as a general matter, banks and bank holding companies are required to maintain a capital conservation buffer on top of minimum risk- weighted asset ratios. Banking institutions which do not maintain capital in excess of the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on the payment of dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. Accordingly, if Lakeland Bank fails to maintain the applicable minimum capital ratios and the capital conservation buffer, distributions to Lakeland Bancorp may be prohibited or limited. The Company is subject to heightened regulatory requirements as a result of total assets exceeding $10 billion. With the closing of the acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp on January 6, 2022, the Company's total assets exceed $10 billion. Banks with assets in excess of $10 billion are subject to requirements imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations, including the examination authority of the CFPB to assess compliance with Federal consumer financial laws, imposition of higher FDIC premiums, reduced debit card interchange fees and enhanced risk management frameworks, all of which increase operating costs and reduce earnings. In addition, in accordance with a memorandum of understanding entered into between the CFPB and the U.S. Department of Justice, the two agencies have agreed to coordinate efforts related to enforcing the fair lending laws, which includes information sharing and conducting joint investigations and have done so on a number of occasions. Additional costs have been and will be incurred to implement processes, procedures and monitoring of compliance with these imposed requirements, including investing significant management attention and resources to make necessary changes to comply with the new statutory and regulatory requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act. The Company faces the risk of failing to meet these requirements, which may negatively impact results of operations and financial condition. While the effect of any presently contemplated or future changes in the laws or regulations or their interpretations would have is unpredictable, these changes could be materially adverse to the Company's investors. -15- Strategic and External Risks The effect of future tax reform is uncertain and may adversely affect our business. State and federal legislation for tax reform may increase our overall tax expense and negatively impact certain balance sheet and tax provisions taken by the Company. The current national administration has indicated that tax reform, increasing the federal corporate tax rate, is a possibility. Such an increase would increase the Company's income tax expense as a percent of its taxable income. Other tax reform could adversely impact the property values of real estate used to secure loans or may create an additional tax burden for many borrowers, particularly in high tax jurisdictions such as the states of New Jersey and New York where the Company operates. These and other federal and state tax changes could significantly impact the financial health of our customers, potentially resulting, in among other things, an inability to repay loans or maintain deposits at the Bank. Any negative financial impact to our customers resulting from tax reform could adversely impact our financial condition and earnings. In addition, in September 2020, the State of New Jersey enacted further changes in tax law, that were retroactive to the beginning of 2020, which extended a temporary surcharge of 2.5% on corporations earning New Jersey allocated income in excess of $1.0 million through 2023. In 2024, the New Jersey tax rate is scheduled to revert back to no surcharge. The ultimate impact of any tax reform on our business, customers and shareholders, whether federal or state, is uncertain and could be adverse. Severe weather, acts of terrorism, geopolitical and other external events could impact our ability to conduct business. Weather-related events have adversely impacted our market area in recent years, especially areas located near coastal waters and flood prone areas. Such events that may cause significant flooding and other storm-related damage may become more common events in the future. Financial institutions have been, and continue to be, targets of terrorist threats aimed at compromising operating and communication systems and the metropolitan New York area, including New Jersey, remain central targets for potential acts of terrorism. Such events could cause significant damage, impact the stability of our facilities and result in additional expenses, impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, reduce the value of collateral securing repayment of our loans, and result in the loss of revenue. While we have established and regularly test disaster recovery procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. Additionally, financial markets may be adversely affected by the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, including escalating military tension between Russia and Ukraine, terrorism or other geopolitical events. The outbreak of COVID-19 could continue to materially, adversely affect our business operations, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The outbreak of COVID-19 has materially, adversely impacted supply chains and certain industries in which our customers operate and could materially impair their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. Further, additional outbreaks of COVID-19 variants could lead to an economic recession or other severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and may disrupt banking and other financial activity in the areas in which we operate and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues for us. Our business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of our employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. The spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 caused severe disruptions in the U.S. economy at large, and for small businesses in particular, which disrupted our operations. COVID-19 resulted in a decrease in our customers’ businesses, a decrease in consumer confidence and business generally and a disruption in the services provided by our vendors. Continued disruptions to our customers could result in increased risk of delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and losses on our loans, declines in wealth management revenues, negatively impact regional economic conditions, result in declines in local loan demand, liquidity of loan guarantors, loan collateral (particularly in real estate, loan originations and deposit availability and negatively impact the implementation of our growth strategy. Furthermore, COVID-19 could negatively impact the ability of our employees and customers to engage in banking and other financial transactions in the geographic areas in which we operate and could create widespread business continuity issues for us. We also could be adversely affected if key personnel or a significant number of employees were to become unavailable due to the effects of COVID-19 and the additional restrictions imposed to contain COVID-19 in our market areas. Although we have business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, there is no assurance that such plans and safeguards will be effective. Moreover, we rely on many third parties in our business operations, including the appraisers of the real property collateral, vendors that supply essential services such as loan servicers, providers of financial information, systems and analytical tools and providers of electronic payment and settlement systems, and local and federal government agencies, offices, and courthouses. In light of the extent of the measures taken in responding to a continuing pandemic, many of these entities may limit the availability and access of their services. For example, loan origination could be delayed due to the limited availability of real estate appraisers for the collateral. Loan closings could be delayed related to reductions in available staff in recording offices or the closing of courthouses in certain counties, which slows the process for title work, mortgage and UCC -16- filings in those counties. If the third-party service providers continue to have limited capacities for a prolonged period or if additional limitations or potential disruptions in these services materialize, it may negatively affect our operations. Further, the COVID-19 outbreak created increased operational challenges, as we worked to respond to customers' urgent needs. During 2020 and 2021, we processed more than 3,300 applications for PPP loans in excess of $475.7 million, which resulted in significant demands and pressures on our operations. We will continue to face increased operational demands and pressures as we process applications for loan forgiveness, monitor and service our book of PPP loans and pursue recourse under the SBA guarantees and against borrowers for any PPP loan defaults. An outbreak of any other epidemic, pandemic or outbreak of a highly contagious disease, occurring in the United States or in the geographies in which we conduct operations could materially adversely affect our business operations, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. An outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases, could have a materially adverse impact on certain industries in which our customers operate and could materially impair their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. Further, the spread of such an outbreak, could lead to an economic recession or other severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and may disrupt banking and other financial activity in the areas in which we operate and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues for us. Our business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of our employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. The spread of highly infectious or contagious diseases could cause severe disruptions in the U.S. economy at large, and for small businesses in particular, which could disrupt our operations and if the global response to contain the outbreak is unsuccessful, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. An outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases may result in a decrease in our customers’ businesses, a decrease in consumer confidence and business generally or a disruption in the services provided by our vendors. Disruptions to our customers could result in increased risk of delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and losses on our loans, declines in wealth management revenues, negatively impact regional economic conditions, result in declines in local loan demand, liquidity of loan guarantors, loan collateral (particularly in real estate, loan originations and deposit availability and negatively impact the implementation of our growth strategy. Furthermore, such an outbreak could negatively impact the ability of our employees and customers to engage in banking and other financial transactions in the geographic areas in which we operate and could create widespread business continuity issues for us. We also could be adversely affected if key personnel or a significant number of employees were to become unavailable due to the effects of the outbreak and the restrictions imposed to contain it in our market areas. Although we have business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, there is no assurance that such plans and safeguards will be effective. Moreover, we rely on many third parties in our business operations, including the appraisers of the real property collateral, vendors that supply essential services such as loan servicers, providers of financial information, systems and analytical tools and providers of electronic payment and settlement systems, and local and federal government agencies, offices, and courthouses. In light of developing measures responding to an outbreak or pandemic, many of these entities may limit the availability and access of their services. For example, loan origination could be delayed due to the limited availability of real estate appraisers for the collateral. Loan closings could be delayed related to reductions in available staff in recording offices or the closing of courthouses in certain counties, which slows the process for title work, mortgage and UCC filings in those counties. If the third-party service providers continue to have limited capacities for a prolonged period or if additional limitations or potential disruptions in these services materialize, it may negatively affect our operations. We face intense competition from other financial services and financial services technology companies, and competitive pressures could adversely affect our business or financial performance. The Company faces intense competition in its markets and geographic region. The Company expects competitive pressures to intensify in the future, especially in light of legislative and regulatory initiatives arising out of the recent global economic crisis, technological innovations that alter the barriers to entry, current economic and market conditions, and government monetary and fiscal policies. Competition with financial services technology companies, or technology companies partnering with financial services companies, may be particularly intense, due to, among other things, differing regulatory environments. Competitive pressures may drive the Company to take actions that the Company might otherwise eschew, such as lowering the interest rates or fees on loans or raising the interest rates on deposits in order to keep or attract high-quality customers. These pressures also may accelerate actions that the Company might otherwise elect to defer, such as substantial investments in technology or infrastructure. Whatever the reason, actions that the Company takes in response to competition may adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition. These consequences could be exacerbated if the Company is not successful in introducing new products and other services, achieving market acceptance of its products and other services, developing and maintaining a strong customer base, or prudently managing expenses. -17- The Company’s future growth may require the Company to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed or may be available only at an excessive cost. The Company is required by regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support its operations. The Company anticipates that current capital levels will satisfy regulatory requirements for the foreseeable future. The Company, however, may at some point choose to raise additional capital to support its continued growth. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital will depend, in part, on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of the Company’s control. Accordingly, the Company may be unable to raise additional capital, if and when needed, on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. If the Company cannot raise additional capital when needed, its ability to further expand operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impacted. In the event of a material decrease in the Company’s stock price, future issuances of equity securities could result in dilution of existing shareholder interests. Operational Risks The Company may incur impairment to goodwill. We are required to test our goodwill at least annually. Our valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to consider a variety of factors, including the current market price of our common shares, the estimated net present value of our assets and liabilities and information concerning the terminal valuation of similarly situated insured depository institutions. We operate in a competitive environment and projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from actual results. Additionally, if our analysis results in an impairment to our goodwill, we would be required to record a non-cash charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which such impairment is determined to exist. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our stock price. We could be adversely affected by failure in our internal controls. We continue to devote a significant amount of effort, time and resources to continually strengthen our controls and ensure compliance with complex accounting standards and banking regulations. A failure in our internal controls could have a significant negative impact not only on our earnings, but also on the perception that customers, regulators and investors may have of us. Our risk management strategies may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposures in all market environments or against all types of risk. We have devoted significant resources to develop our risk management policies and procedures and expect to continue to do so in the future. Nonetheless, our risk management strategies may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk, including risks that are unidentified or unanticipated. As our products and services change and grow and the markets in which we operate evolve, our risk management strategies may not always adapt to those changes. Some of our methods of managing risk are based upon our use of observed historical market behavior and management’s judgment. As a result, these methods may not predict future risk exposures, which could be significantly greater than the historical measures indicate. Management of market, credit, liquidity, operational, legal, regulatory and compliance risks requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record properly and verify a large number of transactions and events and these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. While we employ a broad and diversified set of risk monitoring and risk mitigation techniques, those techniques and the judgments that accompany their application cannot anticipate every economic and financial outcome or the timing of such outcomes. Any of these circumstances could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The inability to attract and retain key personnel could adversely affect our Company’s business. The success of the Company depends partially on the ability to attract and retain a high level of experienced personnel. The inability to attract and retain key employees, as well as find suitable replacements, if necessary, could adversely affect the Company’s customer relationships and internal operations. The accuracy of our financial statements and related disclosures could be affected if the judgments, assumptions or estimates used in our critical accounting policies are inaccurate. The preparation of financial statements and related disclosure in conformity with GAAP requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Item 7 of this report captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” describes our significant accounting policy and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that we consider “critical” because they require judgments, assumptions and estimates that materially affect our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, if future events differ significantly from the judgments, assumptions and estimates in our critical accounting policy, those events or assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. -18- If we do not successfully integrate any banks that we have acquired and may acquire in the future, the combined company may be adversely affected. The Company has grown through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Since 1998, we have acquired nine community banks, including our most recent acquisition of 1st Constitution Bank and its parent, 1st Constitution Bancorp, which was completed on January 6, 2022. All of the acquired banks have been merged into Lakeland and the acquired holding companies, if applicable, have been merged into the Company. Acquisitions involve a number of risks and challenges, including integrating the branches and operations acquired, and the associated internal controls and regulatory functions, into our operations; limiting the outflow of deposits held by new customers and successfully retaining and managing acquired loans; attracting new deposits and generating new interest-earning assets in geographic areas not previously served; and retaining key employees. Additionally, no assurance can be given that the operation of acquired branches would not adversely affect our existing profitability; that we would be able to achieve results in the future similar to those achieved by our existing banking business; that we would be able to compete effectively in the market areas served by acquired branches; or that we would be able to manage growth resulting from the transaction effectively. We face the additional risks that the anticipated benefits of the acquisition may not be realized fully or at all, or within the time period expected, and that integration may result in unforeseen expenses and divert management’s attention and resources. These integration risks could have an adverse effect on the Company for an undetermined period after completion of the merger. Acquisitions also typically involve the payment of a premium over book and trading values and, therefore, may result in dilution of our book and tangible book value per share. ITEM 1B - Unresolved Staff Comments. Not applicable. ITEM 2 – Properties. As of December 31, 2021, Lakeland operated 48 branch offices located throughout Bergen, Essex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties in New Jersey and in Highland Mills, New York. Lakeland also operates six New Jersey regional commercial lending centers in Bernardsville, Iselin, Jackson, Montville, Teaneck and Waldwick and one New York commercial lending center to serve the Hudson Valley region. In addition to the Company’s principal office located at 250 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, New Jersey 07438, the Company leases two operations locations in Milton, New Jersey. The aggregate net book value of premises and equipment was $45.9 million at December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, 27 of the Company’s facilities were owned and 31 were leased for various terms. ITEM 3 - Legal Proceedings. There are no pending legal proceedings involving the Company or Lakeland other than those arising in the normal course of business. Management does not anticipate that the potential liability, if any, arising out of such legal proceedings will have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and Lakeland on a consolidated basis. ITEM 4 - Mine Safety Disclosures. Not applicable. -19- PART II Item 5 - Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Shares of the common stock of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. have been traded under the symbol “LBAI” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (or the NASDAQ National Market) since February 22, 2000 and in the over the counter market prior to that date. As of February 22, 2022, there were approximately 3,298 shareholders of record of the common stock. The following chart compares the Company’s cumulative total shareholder return (on a dividend reinvested basis) over the past five years commencing December 31, 2016 and ending December 31, 2021 with the NASDAQ Market Index and the Peer Group Index. The Peer Group Index is the Zacks Regional Northeast Banks Index, which consists of 95 Regional Northeast Banks. COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN Assumes Initial Investment of $100 December 2021 325.00 300.00 275.00 250.00 225.00 200.00 175.00 150.00 125.00 100.00 75.00 50.00 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Regional Northeast Banks NASDAQ Market Index Company/Market/Peer Group Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. NASDAQ Market Index Regional Northeast Banks 12/31/2016 12/31/2017 12/31/2018 12/31/2019 12/31/2020 12/31/2021 $ $ 100.00 100.00 100.00 $ 100.75 129.64 104.70 $ 79.37 125.96 91.39 $ 95.99 172.18 110.53 $ 73.18 249.52 88.89 112.91 304.85 119.82 -20- The following table presents information regarding shares of our common stock repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2021. Period October 1 to October 31, 2021 November 1 to November 30, 2021 December 1 to December 31, 2021 Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (1) Weighted Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs — $ — — — — — — — — 2,393,423 2,393,423 2,393,423 (1) On October 24, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program. Under the repurchase program, the Company may repurchase up to 2,524,458 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of its outstanding shares of common stock at September 30, 2019. Repurchases may be made from time to time through a combination of open market and privately negotiated repurchases. The specific timing, price and quantity of repurchases will be at the discretion of the Company and will depend on a variety of factors, including general market legal and contractual requirements and the Company's financial conditions, performance. This program has no expiration date. the trading price of the common stock, ITEM 6 - {Reserved}. ITEM 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. This section presents a review of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition. You should read this section in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to financial statements. As used in the following discussion, the term “Company” refers to Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and “Lakeland” refers to the Company’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, Lakeland Bank. The Company has omitted comparative discussion of 2020 and 2019 results, which are presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2021. Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information The information disclosed in this document includes various forward-looking statements that are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to credit quality (including delinquency trends and the allowance for credit losses), corporate objectives and other financial and business matters. The words “anticipates,” “projects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “believes,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these forward- looking statements are necessarily speculative and speak only as of the date made, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, all of which may change over time. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements. In addition to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially and adversely from such forward-looking statements: changes in the financial services industry and the U.S. and global capital markets; changes in economic conditions nationally, regionally and in the Company’s markets; the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and its effects on economic activity; government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination mandates, which may affect our workforce, human capital resources and infrastructure; the nature and timing of actions of the Federal Reserve Board and other regulators; the nature and timing of legislation affecting the financial services industry; government intervention in the U.S. financial system; changes in levels of market interest rates; pricing pressures on loan and deposit products; credit risks of Lakeland’s lending and equipment financing activities; successful implementation, deployment and upgrades of new and existing technology, systems, services and products; customers’ acceptance of Lakeland’s products and services; failure to realize anticipated efficiencies and synergies from the merger of 1st Constitution Bancorp into Lakeland Bancorp and the merger of 1st Constitution Bank into Lakeland Bank; and unanticipated expenses, including litigation expenses, related to the merger. The above-listed risk factors are not necessarily exhaustive, particularly as to possible future events, and new risk factors may emerge from time to time. Certain events may occur that could cause the Company’s actual results to be materially different than those described in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any statements made by the Company that are not historical facts should be considered to be forward-looking statements. The Company is not obligated to update and does not undertake to update any of its forward-looking statements made herein. -21- Strategy The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lakeland Bank, operates 69 banking offices including those offices obtained in the acquisition of 1st Constitution Bank. The offices are located in northern and central New Jersey and Highland Mills, New York. Lakeland offers a broad range of lending, depository and related financial services to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses located in its market areas. Lakeland also offers a broad range of consumer banking services, including lending, depository, safe deposit services and wealth management services. Lakeland’s growth has come from a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. In addition to organic growth, through December 31, 2021, the Company has acquired eight community banks with an aggregate asset total of approximately $2.28 billion at the date of the respective acquisitions. The Company completed its most recent acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp (NASDAQ: FCCY (“1st Constitution” effective January 6, 2022 with 1st Constitution merging into Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and 1st Constitution’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 1st Constitution Bank, merging into Lakeland Bank. As of January 6, 2022, 1st Constitution had approximately $1.88 billion in assets, $1.12 billion in loans, $1.65 billion in deposits and 25 branches. The acquisition represents a significant addition to Lakeland’s New Jersey franchise and the combined organization will have over $10 billion in assets. 1st Constitution's financial information is not included in our December 31, 2021 and 2020 financial information contained herein. The Company’s strategy is to continue growing both organically and through acquisition should opportunities allow. The Company continues to evaluate opportunities to increase market share by expanding within existing and contiguous markets. The Company’s strategic aim is to provide an adequate return to its shareholders by focusing on profitable growth through services that meet the needs of its customers in its market areas. This will be accomplished by continuing to offer commercial and consumer loan, deposit and other financial product services in a changing economic and technological environment. The Company offers online banking, mobile banking and cash management services to meet the needs of its business and consumer customers. In 2019, the Company embarked on a digital strategy initiative, impacting all operational areas of Lakeland, with a focus on providing a superior customer experience, evolving our product and service delivery and enhancing our operational functionality and cost-effectiveness. Throughout 2020 and 2021 the Company continued to build its infrastructure to implement the strategy. We hired a highly-skilled team, strengthened our project management and delivery capabilities and continue to organize data housed in various areas of the Company. Investments were also made in customer relationship management tools, which will provide an enhanced view of our customers. In the coming year, we will continue to apply these emerging capabilities to gain insights into our customers and align our products and services with their needs. The Company’s results of operations are primarily dependent upon net interest income, the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. For information on how interest rate change can influence the Company’s net interest income and how the Company manages its net interest income, see “Interest Rate Risk” in the discussion below. The Company generates noninterest income such as income from retail and business account fees, loan servicing fees, loan origination fees, appreciation in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance, income from securities sales, fees from wealth management services and investment product sales, income from the origination and sale of residential mortgages and SBA loans and other fees. The Company’s operating expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefits expense, premises and equipment expense, data processing expense, FDIC insurance expense, marketing and advertising expense and other general and administrative expenses. The Company’s results of operations are also affected by general economic conditions, changes in market interest rates, changes in asset quality, changes in asset values, actions of regulatory agencies and government policies. The Company continues to control its expenses by continually reviewing its ongoing noninterest expense, including evaluating its compensation expense, ongoing service contract expense, marketing expenses and other expenses. The Company also controls its expenses by leveraging its technology investments that maximize the efficient delivery of products and services to its customers, which allows it further to evaluate its infrastructure. Lakeland will continue to consolidate and close branches when an evaluation determines a significant cost savings may be obtained through the consolidation or closure. In addition, opportunities to open new branches are also evaluated. Critical Accounting Estimates The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and Lakeland conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP” and predominant practices within the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. -22- On December 31, 2020, effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted new accounting guidance, which requires entities to estimate and recognize an allowance for lifetime expected credit losses for loans and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. Previously, an allowance was recognized based on probable and reasonably estimable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. See Note 1 to the Company's financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies and methodologies for establishing the allowance and the liability for off-balance-sheet commitments. The allowance for credit losses is a critical accounting estimate for the following reasons: • • • estimates relating to the allowance for credit losses require management to project future loan performance, including cash flows, delinquencies, charge-offs and collateral values, based on a reasonable and supportable forecast period utilizing forward-looking economic scenarios in order to estimate potential credit losses; the allowance for credit losses is influenced by factors outside of management's control such as industry and business trends, geopolitical events and the effects of laws and regulations as well as economic conditions including, but not limited to, interest rates, housing prices, GDP, inflation and unemployment; and judgment is required to determine whether the models used to generate the allowance for credit losses produce results that appropriately reflect a current estimate of lifetime expected credit losses. loan level The Company uses an open pool loss-rate method to calculate an institution-specific historical loss rate based on historical loss experience for collectively assessed loans with similar risk characteristics. The Company’s methodology considers relevant information about past and current economic conditions, as well as a single economic forecast over a reasonable and supportable period. The loss rate is applied over the remaining life of loans to develop a “baseline lifetime loss.” The baseline lifetime loss is adjusted for changes in macroeconomic variables, including but not limited to interest rates, housing prices, GDP and unemployment, over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. After the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the adjusted loss rate reverts on a straight-line basis to the historical loss rate. The reasonable and supportable forecast and the reversion periods are established for each portfolio segment. The Company measures expected credit losses of financial assets by multiplying the adjusted loss rates to the amortized cost basis of each asset taking into consideration amortization, prepayment and defaults. Changes in any of these factors, assumptions or the availability of new information, could require that the allowance be adjusted in future periods, perhaps materially. The Company considers five standard qualitative general reserve factors ("qualitative adjustments"): nature and volume of loans, lending management, policy and procedures, independent review and changes in environment. Qualitative adjustments are designed to address risks that are not captured in the quantitative reserves (“quantitative reserve”). Other qualitative adjustments or model overlays may also be recorded based on expert credit judgment in circumstances where, in the Company’s view, the standard qualitative reserve factors do not capture all relevant risk factors. The use of qualitative reserves may require significant judgment that may impact the amount of allowance recognized. Because management's estimates of the allowance for credit losses involve a high degree of judgment, the subjectivity of the assumptions used and the potential for changes in the forecasted economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the allowance recorded, there is uncertainty inherent in such estimates. Changes in these estimates could significantly impact the allowance and provision for credit losses. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a deterioration in U.S. economic conditions and an increase in economic uncertainty. As a result, the Company's future loss estimates may vary considerably as a result of the changes in the economy compared to management's December 31, 2021 assumptions; the magnitude and duration of the pandemic; and the impact of the national monetary and fiscal response. Use of Non-GAAP Disclosures Reported amounts are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company’s management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information, which consists of measurements and ratios based on tangible equity, tangible assets and the efficiency ratio, which excludes certain items considered to be non-recurring from earnings, is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. Executive Summary The Company reported earnings of $95.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.85 for 2021 and asset growth of 7%. Deposits grew 8% and non-performing assets declined 60% for the year. The 2021 results were favorably impacted by negative provisions for credit losses totaling $10.9 million due to improvements in asset quality and forecasted macroeconomic conditions. In addition, net interest income increased $27.1 million in 2021 when compared to 2020 and the net interest margin for 2021 was 3.13%. -23- While we continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19, including its impact on our employees, our customers and the communities we serve, the level of inflation, unemployment and interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB" also can affect our business. The Company may experience changes in the value of collateral securing outstanding loans, reductions in the credit quality of borrowers and the inability of borrowers to repay loans in accordance with their terms. Management is actively managing credit risk in the Company's commercial loan portfolio. Our branch lobbies are open at normal operating hours for customers; however, we may close them from time to time as conditions warrant. Proper COVID-19 protocols are in place in our branches and corporate offices to ensure the continued safety of our associates and customers. Management identified that the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the liquidity of the Company and took specific steps to minimize the risk. In addition to processes already in place to closely monitor changes in liquidity needs, including those that may result from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company increased collateral and expanded access to additional borrowings should it be necessary in order to meet liquidity needs. While the Company is unable to predict actual fluctuations in deposit or cash balances, management continues to monitor liquidity and believes that its current level of liquidity is sufficient to meet its current and future operational needs. On January 6, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of 1st Constitution with 1st Constitution merging into Lakeland Bancorp and 1st Constitution’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 1st Constitution Bank, merging into Lakeland Bank. As of January 6, 2022, 1st Constitution had approximately $1.88 billion in assets, $1.12 billion in loans and $1.65 billion in deposits. The acquisition represents a significant addition to Lakeland’s New Jersey franchise and the combined organization will have over $10 billion in assets. Full systems integration was completed in February 2022. Financial Overview The following table presents certain key aspects of the Company's performance for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and will be discussed further in this management’s discussion and analysis: (in thousands, except per share data) Income Statement Interest income Interest expense Net interest income (Benefit) provision for credit losses Net interest income after (benefit) provision for credit losses Total other income Total operating expense Income before income tax expense Income tax expense Net income At or for the Years Ended 12/31/2021 12/31/2020 Change $ 257,318 $ 248,842 $ 8,476 22,483 234,835 (10,896) 245,731 22,361 140,757 127,335 32,294 95,041 41,155 207,687 27,222 180,465 27,110 132,798 74,777 17,259 57,518 $ $ (18,672) 27,148 (38,118) 65,266 (4,749) 7,959 52,558 15,035 37,523 $ -24- (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Share Data: Basic earnings per common share Diluted earnings per common share Average common shares outstanding Diluted average common shares outstanding Balance Sheet: Total loans Allowance for credit losses on loans Total assets Total deposits Stockholders' equity Selected ratios of the Company: Return on average assets Return on average common equity Return on average tangible common equity Leverage ratio Loans to deposits Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans Non-performing loans to total loans At or for the Years Ended 12/31/2021 12/31/2020 Change $ $ 1.85 1.85 $ 1.13 1.13 0.72 0.72 50,624 50,870 50,540 50,650 84 220 $ 5,976,148 $ 6,021,232 $ (45,084) 58,047 8,198,056 6,965,823 827,014 71,124 7,664,297 6,455,783 763,784 (13,077) 533,759 510,040 63,230 1.19 % 11.95 % 14.93 % 8.51 % 85.79 % 0.97 % 0.28 % 0.80 % 7.74 % 9.86 % 8.37 % 93.27 % 1.18 % 0.71 % 0.39 % 4.21 % 5.07 % 0.14 % (7.48)% (0.21)% (0.43)% The Company recorded net income of $95.0 million, or $1.85 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net income of $57.5 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, for 2020. The financial results for 2021 were favorably impacted by a negative provision for credit losses of $10.9 million compared to a provision for credit losses of $27.2 million for 2020. The Company's net interest margin was 3.13% for 2021 compared to 3.09% for 2020. In 2021, return on average assets was 1.19%, return on average common equity was 11.95% and return on average tangible common equity was 14.93%. This compared to 2020 ratios of return on average assets of 0.80%, return on average common equity of 7.74% and return on average tangible common equity of 9.86%. Total assets at December 31, 2021 were $8.20 billion, increasing $533.8 million or 7% compared to $7.66 billion at December 31, 2020. Total investment securities increased $648.4 million as the Company deployed excess cash into securities. Total loans declined $45.1 million during 2021 to $5.98 billion at December 31, 2021 in large part due to the decline in PPP loans of $228.1 million. Other loan segments experienced growth during the year, including $159.0 million in multifamily loans, $81.4 million in owner occupied commercial loans, $61.3 million in residential loans and $35.3 million in construction loans. Non-performing assets declined by $25.8 million during 2021 to $17.0 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $42.8 million at December 31, 2020. During 2021, the Company sold $21.7 million in non-performing loans primarily in the commercial secured by real estate loan category, resulting in net charge offs to the allowance for credit losses of $706,000 as well as recovered interest on non-accrual loans of $755,000. Total deposits increased $510.0 million, or 8%, from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021, including an increase of $222.2 million, or 15% in noninterest bearing deposits. During 2021, increases in savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts of $606.8 million and noninterest-bearing deposit accounts of $222.2 million were partially offset by a decline in time deposit balances of $319.0 million, The Company issued $150 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes in September 2021 at 2.875% per annum until September 2026 when the interest rate will reset quarterly to the three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus a spread of 220 basis points. The Company also redeemed $75 million of 5.125% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes, that were scheduled to reset quarterly to the current three-month LIBOR rate plus 397 basis points in September 2021. -25- Net Interest Income Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets and the cost of funds supporting those assets. The Company’s net interest income is determined by: (i the volume of interest-earning assets that it holds and the yields that it earns on those assets, and (ii the volume of interest-bearing liabilities that it has assumed and the rates that it pays on those liabilities. For 2021, the Company's net interest margin was 3.13% compared to 3.09% for 2020. The increase in net interest margin resulted primarily from a 41 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The following table reflects the components of the Company’s net interest income, setting forth for the years presented, (1 average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, (2 interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (3 average yields earned on interest-earning assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (4 the Company’s net interest spread (i.e., the average yield on interest-earning assets less the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities and (5 the Company’s net interest margin. Rates are computed on a tax equivalent basis assuming a 21% tax rate. (dollars in thousands) Assets Interest-earning assets: Loans (1) Taxable investment securities and other Tax-exempt securities Federal funds sold (2) 2021 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/ Paid Average Balance 2020 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/ Paid Average Balance 2019 Interest Income/ Expense Average Rates Earned/ Paid Average Balance $ 6,003,325 $ 237,037 3.95 % $ 5,626,273 $ 229,036 4.07 % $ 4,938,298 $ 233,535 4.73 % 1,017,140 17,208 143,363 352,834 3,333 440 1.69 % 2.32 % 0.12 % 808,629 80,594 220,329 17,811 2,085 348 2.20 % 2.59 % 0.16 % 799,103 19,722 70,271 87,997 1,911 1,720 2.47 % 2.72 % 1.95 % 4.36 % Total interest-earning assets 7,516,662 258,018 3.43 % 6,735,825 249,280 3.70 % 5,895,669 256,888 Noninterest-earning assets: Allowance for credit losses Other assets Total Assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Interest-bearing liabilities: (64,537) 522,780 $ 7,974,905 (61,898) 534,439 $ 7,208,366 (39,840) 466,825 $ 6,322,654 Savings accounts $ 642,298 $ 334 0.05 % $ 535,754 $ 325 0.06 % $ 500,650 $ 335 0.07 % Interest-bearing transaction accounts Time deposits Federal funds purchased Securities sold under agreements to repurchase Long -term borrowings 3,613,484 882,379 2,287 92,824 162,643 Total interest-bearing liabilities 5,395,915 Noninterest-bearing liabilities: 1,671,889 111,547 795,554 $ 7,974,905 Demand deposits Other liabilities Stockholders’ equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Net interest income/spread Tax equivalent basis adjustment Net Interest Income Net Interest Margin (3) 10,817 5,642 8 70 5,612 22,483 0.30 % 3,035,626 0.64 % 1,064,187 0.35 % 40,536 0.07 % 3.40 % 51,889 244,000 17,396 14,338 449 107 8,540 0.57 % 2,653,404 1.35 % 1.09 % 0.21 % 3.44 % 922,412 52,421 42,615 290,329 31,157 17,756 1,341 130 9,734 0.42 % 4,971,992 41,155 0.83 % 4,461,831 60,453 1.17 % 1.92 % 2.52 % 0.30 % 3.31 % 1.35 % 1,362,918 130,231 743,225 $ 7,208,366 1,092,827 70,959 697,037 $ 6,322,654 235,535 3.02 % 208,125 2.87 % 196,435 3.00 % 700 $ 234,835 438 $ 207,687 401 $ 196,034 3.13 % 3.09 % 3.33 % (1) Includes non-accrual loans, loans held for sale and deferred loan fees. Average deferred loan fees totaled $9.7 million in 2021, $7.7 million in 2020 and $3.0 million in 2019. Includes interest-bearing cash accounts. (2) (3) Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis divided by interest-earning assets. -26- Interest income and expense volume/rate analysis The following table shows the impact that changes in average balances of the Company’s assets and liabilities and changes in average interest rates have had on the Company’s net interest income over the past two years. This information is presented on a tax equivalent basis assuming a 21% tax rate. If a change in interest income or expense is attributable to a change in volume and a change in rate, the amount of the change is allocated proportionately. There are no out-of-period items or adjustments in the table below. 2021 vs. 2020 2020 vs. 2019 Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in: Rate Volume Total Change Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in: Rate Volume Total Change (in thousands) Interest Income Loans Taxable investment securities and other Tax-exempt investment securities Federal funds sold Total interest income Interest Expense Savings deposits Interest-bearing transaction accounts Time deposits Federal funds purchased Securities sold under agreements to repurchase Long -term borrowings Total interest expense Net Interest Income $ $ 15,031 4,032 1,478 177 20,718 32 4,360 (2,134) (259) (183) (2,833) (1,017) 21,735 $ (7,030) $ (4,635) (230) (85) (11,980) 8,001 $ (603) 1,248 92 8,738 9 (6,579) (8,696) (442) (23) (10,939) (6,562) (183) 147 (95) (17,655) 5,675 $ 30,269 $ (34,768) $ 233 270 1,111 31,883 30 5,388 3,589 (262) (2,144) (96) (2,483) (39,491) (40) (19,149) (7,007) (630) (4,499) (1,911) 174 (1,372) (7,608) (10) (13,761) (3,418) (892) (36) (2,928) (18,672) 27,410 $ 46 (1,610) 2 7,181 24,702 $ (13,012) $ (69) 416 (26,479) (23) (1,194) (19,298) 11,690 $ Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis for 2021 was $235.5 million, compared to $208.1 million in 2020, due primarily to lower interest rates on interest-bearing liabilities as well as growth in average earning assets of $780.8 million partially offset by lower yields on interest-earning assets. The unfavorable effect on net interest income due to the decrease in yield on interest-earning assets was partially mitigated by an increase in interest income earned on free funds (interest-earning assets funded by noninterest-bearing liabilities) resulting from an increase in average noninterest-bearing deposits of $309.0 million. Interest income on a tax equivalent basis increased from $249.3 million in 2020 to $258.0 million in 2021, an increase of $8.7 million, or 4%. The increase in interest income resulted from a $780.8 million increase in average interest-earning assets partially offset by lower yields on interest-earning assets. The decrease in yield on interest-earning assets was due primarily to a reduction in the yield on loans and investment securities due to decreases in the prime rate and LIBOR during 2020 and 2021. The average balance of loans increased $377.1 million compared to 2020, while the yield on average loans of 3.95% in 2021 was 12 basis points lower than 2020. The yield on average taxable investment securities decreased 51 basis points, while the yield on tax-exempt investment securities decreased 27 basis points compared to 2020. Total interest expense decreased $18.7 million from $41.2 million in 2020 to $22.5 million in 2021. Total average interest-bearing liabilities increased $423.9 million, mostly due to the increase in total average interest-bearing deposits of $502.6 million as a result of organic growth, offset in part by a decrease in average long-term borrowings of $81.4 million. The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 0.83% in 2020 to 0.42% in 2021, largely driven by lower market interest rates as well as a change in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities. The cost of interest-bearing transaction accounts, time deposits and long-term borrowings decreased by 27 basis points, 71 basis points, and four basis points, respectively, compared to 2020. -27- Provision for Credit Losses The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost at December 31, 2020, effective January 1, 2020. The Company applied the standard's provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment of $3.4 million to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial assets, including investments, loans and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures, measured at amortized cost. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Company's financial statements for a description of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and the Company's allowance methodology. In determining the allowance for credit loans and off-balance-sheet credit exposures, management measures expected credit losses based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, prepayments and future economic conditions. The key assumptions of the methodology include the lookback periods, historic net charge-off factors, economic forecasts, reversion periods, prepayments and qualitative adjustments. The Company uses its best judgment to assess economic conditions and loss data in estimating the allowance for credit losses. losses on investments, In 2021, the Company recorded a $10.9 million benefit for credit losses compared to a $27.2 million provision for 2020. The benefit is comprised of a benefit for credit losses on loans of $10.9 million, a benefit for off-balance-sheet exposures of $243,000 and a provision for credit losses on securities of $262,000. The benefit for credit losses on loans was due primarily to an improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, a decrease in nonperforming assets and continued strength in the asset quality of loans. The Company charged off $4.6 million and recovered $2.4 million in 2021 compared to $2.1 million and $541,000, respectively, in 2020. Noninterest Income Noninterest income of $22.4 million in 2021 decreased by $4.7 million compared to 2020. The decrease in noninterest income was due primarily to a $4.1 million reduction in swap income compared to 2020 as demand for swap transactions waned due to changes in the yield curve, which decreased demand for these transactions. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $708,000 compared to 2020 due primarily to increases in debit card income. Commissions and fees in 2021 increased $1.1 million compared to 2020 due primarily to increases in commercial loan fees and investment commission income. Gains on sales of loans decreased $1.1 million compared to 2020, due primarily to the Company retaining more originated residential mortgage loans in the loan portfolio. Gain on sales and calls of investment securities totaled $9,000 in 2021 compared to $1.2 million in 2020. Noninterest income represented 9% of total revenue in 2021. Total revenue is defined as net interest income plus noninterest income. Noninterest Expense Noninterest expense in 2021 totaled $140.8 million, an increase of $8.0 million from the $132.8 million recorded for 2020. The increase in noninterest expense was due primarily to an increase in compensation and employee benefit expense of $6.1 million in 2021, from 2020, as a result of an increase in staffing levels and normal merit increases. In 2021, premises and equipment expense increased $2.9 million compared to 2020 due primarily to an increase in information technology service agreement expense. The increase was expected as part of the Company's digital strategy initiative, which began in 2019. Noninterest expense in 2021 also included merger-related expenses of $1.8 million for the acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp. Other operating expense decreased $3.6 million due primarily to the long-term debt prepayment fees totaling $4.1 million recorded in 2020 resulting from the prepayment of $114.9 million in FHLB debt at a weighted average rate of 2.11%. In addition, the Company recorded $831,000 of long-term debt extinguishment costs in 2021 as a result of the redemption of $75.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. -28- The efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure, expresses the relationship between noninterest expense (excluding long- term debt prepayment fees, merger related expenses and core deposit amortization to total tax-equivalent revenue (excluding gains and/or losses on securities and gain and/or losses on debt extinguishment. (dollars in thousands) Calculation of Efficiency Ratio (a Non-GAAP Measure) Total noninterest expense Amortization of core deposit intangibles Merger related expenses Long-term debt prepayment fees Long-term debt extinguishment costs Noninterest expense, as adjusted Net interest income Noninterest income Total revenue Tax-equivalent adjustment on municipal securities Gains on sales of investment securities and debt extinguishment Total revenue, as adjusted Efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP) Income Taxes For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 2020 $ $ $ $ 140,757 (868) (1,782) — (831) 137,276 234,835 22,361 257,196 700 (9) 257,887 $ $ $ $ 132,798 (1,025) — (4,133) — 127,640 207,687 27,110 234,797 438 (1,213) 234,022 53.23 % 54.54 % The Company’s effective income tax rate was 25.4% and 23.1% in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increased effective tax rate for 2021 was primarily a result of tax advantaged items declining as a percentage of pretax income due to the increase in pretax income. Financial Condition Total assets at December 31, 2021 were $8.20 billion, an increase of $533.8 million, or 7%, from $7.66 billion at December 31, 2020. Loans, net of deferred fees, were $5.98 billion and $6.02 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, a decrease of $45.1 million, or 1% during 2021. Investment securities were $1.62 billion and $973.2 million December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively an increase of $648.1 million or 67% during 2021, as the Company deployed excess cash into investment securities. Total deposits were $6.97 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $510.0 million, or 8%, from December 31, 2020. Borrowings were $310.5 million at December 31, 2021 a decrease of $2.3 million or 1% from December 31, 2020. Loans Lakeland primarily serves New Jersey, the Hudson Valley region in New York and the surrounding areas. Its equipment finance division serves a broader market with a primary focus on the Northeast. At the time of adoption of CECL, the loan portfolio segmentation was expanded to nine portfolio segments, taking into consideration common loan attributes and risk characteristics, as well as historical reporting metrics and data availability. See Note 1 to the Company's financial statements for a full description of the segments. The information below for December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, is presented in accordance with ASU 2016-13. The Company did not reclassify comparative financial periods prior to December 31, 2020, and has presented those disclosures under previously applicable U.S. GAAP. At December 31, 2021, the amortized cost of loans totaled $5.98 billion, an decrease of $45.1 million when compared to the balance at December 31, 2020 of $6.02 billion. Commercial, industrial and other loans decreased $255.8 million in 2021 due primarily to a decline in PPP loans which totaled $56.6 million and $284.6 million, at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Partially offsetting this decrease was increases in other loan categories, including multifamily loans of $159.0 million, owner occupied commercial loans of $81.4 million and residential loans of $61.3 million. For detailed information on the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, see Note 5 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. -29- The following table presents the classification of Lakeland's loans by major category: (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 $ $ 2,316,284 908,449 972,233 177,097 462,406 302,228 123,212 438,710 275,529 5,976,148 $ $ 2,398,946 827,092 813,225 200,229 718,189 266,883 116,690 377,380 302,598 6,021,232 At December 31, 2021, concentrations of loans exceeding 10% by segment of total loans outstanding included non- owner occupied commercial loans, owner occupied commercial loans, multifamily loans and commercial, industrial and other loans. Commercial, industrial and other includes $56.6 million of PPP loans, which are expected to be fully guaranteed by the SBA. Loan concentrations are considered to exist when there are amounts loaned to a multiple number of borrowers engaged in similar activities which would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other related conditions. The following tables present loan maturities and sensitivity to changes in interest rates at December 31, 2021: (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential Mortgage Consumer Total loans (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential Mortgage Consumer Total loans Within One Year After One but Within Five Years After Five Years but Within Fifteen Years After Fifteen Years Total $ $ 113,472 78,719 35,685 15,675 186,313 108,102 4,238 2,252 2,128 546,584 $ $ 593,974 229,672 190,370 36,778 193,871 80,036 112,145 18,079 13,294 1,468,219 $ $ 1,500,937 534,745 707,115 116,176 74,098 114,090 6,829 91,981 65,696 3,211,667 $ $ 107,901 $ 65,313 39,063 8,468 8,124 — — 326,398 194,411 749,678 $ 2,316,284 908,449 972,233 177,097 462,406 302,228 123,212 438,710 275,529 5,976,148 Amounts due after one year at predetermined rates Amount due after one year at floating or adjustable rates 580,502 245,353 258,979 46,078 155,751 29,522 118,974 324,252 81,681 1,841,092 $ $ 1,622,310 584,377 677,569 115,344 120,342 164,604 — 112,206 191,720 3,588,472 $ $ -30- Risk Elements Commercial loans are placed on a non-accrual status with all accrued interest and unpaid interest reversed if (a) because of the deterioration in the financial position of the borrower, they are maintained on a cash basis (which means payments are applied when and as received rather than on a regularly scheduled basis), (b) payment of all contractual principal and interest is not expected, or (c) principal and interest have been in default for a period of 90 days or more unless the obligation is both well-secured and in process of collection. Residential mortgage loans and closed-end consumer loans are placed on non-accrual status at the time principal and interest have been in default for a period of 90 days or more, except where there exists sufficient collateral to cover the defaulted principal and interest payments, and the loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. Open-end consumer loans secured by real estate are generally placed on non-accrual status and reviewed for charge-off when principal and interest payments are four months in arrears unless the obligations are well-secured and in the process of collection. Interest thereafter on such charged-off consumer loans is taken into income when received only after full recovery of principal. As a general rule, a non-accrual asset may be restored to accrual status when none of its principal or interest is due and unpaid and satisfactory payments have been received for a sustained period (usually six months), or when it otherwise becomes well-secured and in the process of collection. Non-accrual loans decreased to $17.0 million at December 31, 2021 from $42.8 million at December 31, 2020 primarily due to sales of non-performing loans of $21.3 million. Commercial, industrial and other non-accruals increased $4.1 million when compared to December 31, 2020 as a result of one new non-accrual totaling $6.1 million. Non-accruals as of December 31, 2021 include three loan relationships between $500,000 and $1.0 million totaling $1.8 million, and three loan relationships exceeding $1.0 million totaling $13.1 million. All non-accrual loans are in various stages of litigation, foreclosure, or workout. Non-accrual loans included $127,000 and $1.1 million in troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, Lakeland had $3.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively, in loans that are TDRs and still accruing. Restructured loans that are still accruing are those loans where Lakeland has granted concessions to the borrower in payment terms, in rate and/or in maturity as a result of the financial difficulties of the borrower where the borrower has demonstrated the ability to repay based on the modified terms of the loan. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $102.3 million and $139.4 million, respectively, of loans that were rated substandard that were not classified as non-performing. There were no additional loans at December 31, 2021, other than those designated non-performing or substandard, where Lakeland was aware of any credit conditions of any borrowers that would indicate a possibility of the borrowers not complying with the present terms and conditions of repayment and which may result in such loans being included as non-accrual, past due or renegotiated at a future date. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 in 2020, with an adjustment to the allowance for credit losses on loans of $6.7 million, using a modified retrospective approach. For further information see Notes 1, 5 and 6 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The following tables present the historical relationships between credit ratios, including allowance for credit losses to total loans, non-accrual loans to total loans, allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans and net charge-offs to average loans by loan category: (dollars in thousands) As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 2020 2021 Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans outstanding 0.97 % 1.18 % 0.78 % Allowance for credit losses on loans Total loans outstanding Non-accrual loans to total loans outstanding Non-accrual loans Total loans outstanding Allowance for credit losses on loans to non-accrual loans Allowance for credit losses on loans Non-accrual loans $ $ $ 58,047 5,976,148 0.28 % 16,981 5,976,148 341.83 % 58,047 16,981 $ $ $ 71,124 6,021,232 0.71 % 42,763 6,021,232 166.32 % 71,124 42,763 $ $ $ 40,003 5,137,823 0.41 % 21,138 5,137,823 189.25 % 40,003 21,138 -31- (dollars in thousands) Net charge-offs (recoveries) during the period to average loans outstanding:(1) 2021 2020 2019 As of and for the Year Ended December 31, Non-owner occupied commercial (1) Net charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Owner occupied commercial (1) Net (recoveries) charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Multifamily (1) Net charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Non owner occupied residential (1) Net charge-offs (recoveries) during the period Average amount outstanding Total Commercial, secured by real estate (1) Net charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Commercial, industrial and other Net (recoveries) charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Construction Net recoveries during the period Average amount outstanding Equipment finance Net charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Residential mortgage Net (recoveries) charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Consumer Net charge-offs during the period Average amount outstanding Total loans Net charge-offs (recoveries) during the period Average amount outstanding $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 0.10 % 2,246 2,347,575 — % (20) 870,727 — % 28 889,456 0.03 % 58 188,166 0.05 % 2,312 4,295,924 (0.08)% (487) 593,979 (0.01)% (21) 312,107 0.24 % 285 120,252 (0.02)% (64) 398,141 0.05 % 137 281,896 0.04 % 2,162 6,002,299 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ — % 24 2,252,386 0.05 % 348 763,183 — % — 675,633 (0.01)% (22) 202,555 0.01 % 350 3,893,757 0.09 % 607 644,844 (0.01)% (23) 300,434 0.19 % 219 117,158 0.03 % 95 340,356 0.08 % 264 327,567 0.03 % 1,512 5,624,116 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 0.01 % 293 3,440,392 (0.11)% (455) 399,432 (0.04)% (126) 318,075 0.08 % 82 99,378 — % (16) 336,566 0.01 % 37 343,158 — % (185) 4,937,001 (1) The Company expanded its loan segments with the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on December 31, 2020. -32- For 2021 and 2020, the ratio of the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans outstanding was 0.97% and 1.18%, respectively. The Company recorded a benefit to the provision of credit losses on loans in 2021 of $10.9 million due to an improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, a decrease in nonperforming loans and continued improvement in asset quality. The ratio of non-accrual loans to total loans improved to 0.28% in 2021 from 0.71% in 2020 due to a reduction in non-accrual loans of $25.8 million. In addition, the reduction in the allowance for credit losses on loans and in non-accrual loans caused the ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to non-accrual loans to improve 341.83% from 166.32%. Management believes, based on appraisals and estimated selling costs, that the majority of its non-performing loans are well secured and that the reserves on its non-performing loans are adequate. Based upon the process employed and giving recognition to all accompanying factors related to the loan portfolio, management considers the allowance for credit losses on loans to be adequate at December 31, 2021. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding remain at low levels at 0.04% and 0.03% for 2021 and 2020, respectively. The primary category showing an increase in net charge-offs was non-owner occupied commercial loans, totaling $2.2 million in 2021. The following table presents the allowance for credit losses on loans allocated by loan category and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated. The allowance for credit losses on loans allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories. (dollars in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total Investment Securities December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Allowance % of Loans in Each Category Allowance % of Loans in Each Category $ $ 20,071 3,964 8,309 2,380 9,891 838 3,663 3,914 5,017 58,047 38.7 % $ 15.2 % 16.3 % 3.0 % 7.7 % 5.1 % 2.1 % 7.3 % 4.6 % 100.0 % $ 25,910 3,955 7,253 3,321 13,665 786 6,552 3,623 6,059 71,124 39.9 % 13.7 % 13.5 % 3.3 % 11.9 % 4.4 % 1.9 % 6.4 % 5.0 % 100.0 % Investment securities totaled $1.59 billion at December 31, 2021, increasing $648.4 million compared to $946.5 million at December 31, 2020. The Company has classified its investment securities into the available for sale and held to maturity categories based on its intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company transferred $494.2 million of previously designated available for sale securities to a held to maturity designation at estimated fair value. The securities transferred had an unrealized net gain of $3.8 million at the time of transfer, which was reflected, net of taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income. Subsequent amortization will be recognized over the life of the securities. The Company recorded net amortization of $383,000 during 2021. For detailed information on the composition and maturity distribution of the Company’s investment securities portfolio, see Note 4 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. -33- The following table presents the maturity distribution and weighted average yields (calculated on the basis of the stated yields to maturity, considering applicable premium or discount, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, of investment securities as of December 31, 2021, at book value: (dollars in thousands) Available for Sale U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies Amount Yield Mortgage-backed securities, residential Amount Yield Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Amount Yield Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Amount Yield Collateralized mortgage obligations, commercial Amount Yield Asset-backed securities Amount Yield Debt securities Amount Yield Total securities Amount Yield Within One Year Over One but Within Five Years Over Five but Within Ten Years After Ten Years Total $ 12,063 $ 54,788 $ 82,897 $ 53,639 $ 203,387 2.03 % 1.36 % 1.49 % 1.93 % 1.60 % 1 5.15 % 518 3.55 % — — % 2,411 18,051 217,512 237,975 2.39 % 2.29 % 1.32 % 1.40 % 1,628 4,693 184,452 191,291 2.65 % 1.72 % 1.48 % 1.50 % — — % — — % 1,741 (0.70)% 1,741 (0.70)% 4,661 2.44 % 6,274 6,046 15,538 32,519 2.86 % 2.09 % 2.19 % 2.34 % — — % — — % — — % — — % 52,584 52,584 0.77 % 0.77 % 3,621 1.87 % 42,838 4,000 50,459 3.72 % 3.25 % 3.55 % $ 17,243 $ 68,722 $ 154,525 $ 529,466 $ 769,956 2.19 % 1.59 % 2.23 % 1.42 % 1.61 % -34- (dollars in thousands) Held to Maturity U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies Amount Yield Mortgage-backed securities, residential Amount Yield Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Amount Yield Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Amount Yield Obligations of states and political subdivisions Amount Yield Debt securities Amount Yield Total securities Amount Yield Other Assets Within One Year Over One but Within Five Years Over Five but Within Ten Years After Ten Years Total $ 10,013 $ 7,011 $ 1,648 $ 2.16 % 1.76 % 2.09 % — $ 18,672 — % 2.00 % — — % — — % — — % 50 5.05 % 1 1.30 % 14 5.04 % 967 2.27 % 370,183 370,247 1.48 % 1.48 % 12,953 13,921 2.05 % 2.07 % — — % 2,710 1.91 % — — % 2,710 1.91 % 11,332 27,036 37,880 340,318 416,566 1.21 % 0.76 % 1.51 % 1.94 % 1.80 % — — % — — % 2,840 3.00 % — — % 2,840 3.00 % $ 21,345 $ 34,098 $ 46,059 $ 723,454 $ 824,956 1.66 % 0.97 % 1.67 % 1.71 % 1.67 % Assets included within "other assets" on the Company's balance sheet decreased from $110.3 million at December 31, 2020 to $71.8 million at December 31, 2021 primarily due to a reduction in swap assets of $36.9 million. Demand for swap transactions declined in 2021 because of changes in the yield curve. Deposits Total deposits increased from $6.46 billion at December 31, 2020 to $6.97 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $510.0 million, or 8%. Savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts and noninterest-bearing deposits increased $606.8 million and $222.2 million, respectively, while time deposits decreased $319.0 million. The increase in deposits during 2021 can be attributed to organic growth, PPP-related deposits and money market promotions. -35- The average amount of deposits, the average rates paid on deposits and the balance of uninsured deposits (i.e., the portion of deposit accounts that exceed the FDIC insurance limit for the years indicated are summarized in the following table: (dollars in thousands) Average Balance Average Rate Average Balance Average Rate Average Balance Average Rate 2021 Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Noninterest-bearing demand deposits Interest-bearing transaction accounts Savings Time deposits Total $ 1,671,889 — % $ 1,362,918 — % $ 1,092,827 — % 3,613,484 642,298 882,379 6,810,050 $ 0.30 % 0.05 % 0.64 % 0.25 % $ 3,035,626 535,754 1,064,187 5,998,485 0.57 % 0.06 % 1.35 % 0.53 % $ 2,653,404 500,650 922,412 5,169,293 1.17 % 0.07 % 1.92 % 0.95 % Uninsured deposits December 31, 2021 $3,256,006 December 31, 2020 $3,059,345 December 31, 2019 $2,429,110 The aggregate amount of outstanding time deposits that are uninsured in excess of $250,000, broken down by time remaining to maturity at December 31, 2021, was as follows: (in thousands) Within 3 months Over 3 through 6 months Over 6 through 12 months Over 12 months Total $ $ 30,293 44,429 25,626 8,594 108,942 Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Other Borrowings Lakeland may borrow from time to time from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") and other correspondent banks as part of its overall funding and liquidity management program. FHLB advances totaled $25.0 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.77%. These advances are collateralized by first mortgage loans and have prepayment penalties. In 2020, the Company repaid an aggregate of $114.9 million in advances and recorded $4.1 million in long-term prepayment fees. Derivatives Lakeland enters into interest rate swaps (“swaps”) with loan customers to provide a facility to mitigate the fluctuations in the variable rate on the respective loans. These swaps are matched in offsetting terms to swaps that Lakeland enters into with an outside third party. The swaps are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities. Lakeland’s swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments; thus any net gain or loss resulting from changes in the fair value is recognized in other noninterest income. In 2016, the Company entered into two five-year cash flow hedges in order to hedge the variable cash outflows associated with its subordinated debentures. The notional value of these hedges was $30.0 million. The Company’s objectives in using the cash flow hedge was to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. The Company used interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges which involved the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. In these particular hedges the Company was paying a third party an average of 1.10% in exchange for a payment at three-month LIBOR over a five-year period. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and were subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2021, the Company did not record any hedge ineffectiveness. During 2021, the $30.0 million in notional value of the swaps matured and the Company did not enter into any additional hedges. Further discussion of Lakeland’s financial derivatives can be found in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. -36- Liquidity “Liquidity” measures whether an entity has sufficient cash flow to meet its financial obligations and commitments on a timely basis. The Company is liquid when its subsidiary bank has the cash available to meet the borrowing and cash withdrawal requirements of customers and the Company can pay for current and planned expenditures and satisfy its debt obligations. Lakeland funds loan demand and operation expenses from several sources: • • • • • • Net income. Cash provided by operating activities was $95.1 million in 2021 compared to $85.0 million in 2020. Deposits. Lakeland can offer new products or change its rate structure in order to increase deposits. In 2021, Lakeland generated $510.1 million in deposit growth compared to $1.16 billion in 2020. Sales of securities and overnight funds. At year-end 2021, the Company had $770.0 million in securities designated “available for sale.” Of these securities, $528.5 million was pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required by applicable laws and regulations. Repayments on loans and investments can also be a source of liquidity to fund further loan growth. Overnight credit lines. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”), Lakeland has the ability to borrow overnight and short term based on the market value of collateral pledged. Lakeland had no overnight and short-term borrowings from the FHLB on December 31, 2021. Lakeland also has overnight federal funds lines available for it to borrow up to $215.0 million from correspondent banks. Lakeland had no borrowings against these lines at December 31, 2021. Lakeland also has the ability to utilize a line of credit from the FHLB to secure a portion of its public deposits. Lakeland may also borrow from the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on the market value of collateral pledged. Lakeland had no borrowings with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 31, 2021. Other borrowings. Lakeland can also generate funds by utilizing long-term debt or securities sold under agreements to repurchase that would be collateralized by security or mortgage collateral. At times the market values of securities collateralizing our securities sold under agreements to repurchase may decline due to changes in interest rates and may necessitate our lenders to issue a “margin call” which requires the Company to pledge additional collateral to meet that margin call. For more information regarding the Company’s borrowings, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management and the Board of Directors monitor the Company’s liquidity through the Asset/Liability Committee, which monitors the Company’s compliance with certain regulatory ratios and other various liquidity guidelines. The cash flow statements for the periods presented provide an indication of the Company’s sources and uses of cash, as well as an indication of the ability of the Company to maintain an adequate level of liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents totaling $228.5 million at December 31, 2021, decreased $41.6 million from December 31, 2020. Operating activities provided $95.1 million in net cash. Investing activities used $615.3 million in net cash, primarily reflecting net purchases of investments securities. Financing activities provided $478.6 million in net cash primarily reflecting a net increase in deposits and subordinated debt of $510.1 million and $59.4 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and dividends paid of $63.1 million and $27.1 million, respectively. The Company’s management believes that its current level of liquidity is sufficient to meet its current and anticipated operational needs, including current loan commitments, deposit maturities and other obligations. Actual results could differ materially from anticipated results due to a variety of factors, including uncertainties relating to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; general economic conditions; unanticipated decreases in deposits; changes in or failure to comply with governmental regulations; and uncertainties relating to the analysis of the Company’s assessment of rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities and the extent to which market factors indicate that a financial institution such as Lakeland should match such assets and liabilities. -37- Off Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations The following table sets forth contractual obligations and other commitments representing required cash outflows as of December 31, 2021. Interest on subordinated debentures and other borrowings is calculated based on current contractual interest rates. (in thousands) Total Within One Year Payment Due Period After One but Within Three Years After Three but Within Five Years After Five Years Minimum annual rentals or noncancellable operating leases Benefit plan commitments Remaining contractual maturities of time deposits Subordinated debentures Loan commitments and lines of credit Other borrowings Interest on other borrowings (1) Standby letters of credit Total $ $ 19,595 4,521 $ 3,077 397 $ 5,467 798 $ 4,033 745 7,018 2,581 759,227 179,043 1,141,138 25,000 53,178 19,486 $ 2,201,188 653,645 — 783,038 — 5,375 19,041 $ 1,464,573 $ 87,845 — 158,937 — 10,764 445 264,256 $ 17,737 — 30,115 25,000 10,390 — 88,020 $ — 179,043 169,048 — 26,649 — 384,339 (1) Includes interest on other borrowings and subordinated debentures at a weighted rate of 2.63%. Interest Rate Risk Closely related to the concept of liquidity is the concept of interest rate sensitivity (i.e., the extent to which assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates). As a financial institution, the Company’s potential interest rate volatility is a primary component of its market risk. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets, other than those which possess a short term to maturity. Based upon the Company’s nature of operations, the Company is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk. The Company does not own any trading assets. The Company’s net income is largely dependent on net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the extent that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than interest-earning assets. For example, when interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earning assets, an increase in market interest rates could adversely affect net interest income. Conversely, when interest-earning assets reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, an increase in market interest rates could increase net interest income. The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted an Asset/Liability Policy designed to stabilize net interest income and preserve capital over a broad range of interest rate movements. This policy outlines guidelines and ratios dealing with, among others, liquidity, volatile liability dependence, investment portfolio composition, loan portfolio composition, loan-to-deposit ratio and gap analysis ratio. Key quantitative measurements include the percentage change of net interest income in various interest rate scenarios (net interest income at risk) and changes in the market value of equity in various rate environments (net portfolio value at risk). The Company’s performance as compared to the Asset/Liability Policy is monitored by its Risk Committee. In addition, to effectively administer the Asset/Liability Policy and to monitor exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, the Company maintains an Asset/Liability Committee (the “ALCO”), consisting of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Lending Officer, Chief Banking Officer, Chief Credit Officer, Chief Risk Officer and certain other senior officers. This committee meets quarterly to review the Company’s financial results and to develop strategies to implement the Asset/Liability Policy and to respond to market conditions. The Company monitors and controls interest rate risk through a variety of techniques, including use of an interest rate risk management model. With the interest rate risk management model, the Company projects future net interest income, and then estimates the effect of various changes in interest rates and balance sheet growth rates on that projected net interest income. The Company also uses the interest rate risk management model to calculate the change in net portfolio value over a range of interest rate change scenarios. -38- Interest rate sensitivity modeling is done at a specific point in time and involves a variety of significant estimates and assumptions. Interest rate sensitivity modeling requires, among other things, estimates of how much and when yields and costs on individual categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities will respond to general changes in market rates, future cash flows and discount rates. Net interest income simulation considers the relative sensitivities of the balance sheet including the effects of interest rate caps on adjustable rate mortgages and the relatively stable aspects of core deposits. As such, net interest income simulation is designed to address the probability of interest rate changes and the behavioral response of the balance sheet to those changes. Market Value of Portfolio Equity represents the fair value of the net present value of assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet items. Changes in estimates and assumptions made for interest rate sensitivity modeling could have a significant impact on projected results and conclusions. These assumptions could include prepayment rates, sensitivity of non-maturity deposits, decay rates and other similar assumptions. Therefore, if our assumptions should change, this technique may not accurately reflect the impact of general interest rate movements on the Company’s net interest income or net portfolio value. Management reviews the accuracy of its model by back testing its results (comparing predicted results in past models with current data, and it periodically reviews its prepayment assumptions, decay rates and other assumptions. The starting point (or “base case” for the following table is an estimate of the following year’s net interest income assuming that both interest rates and the Company’s interest-sensitive assets and liabilities remain at year-end levels. The net interest income estimated for 2021 (the base case is $223.7 million. The information provided for net interest income assumes that changes in interest rates change gradually in equal increments (“rate ramp” over the twelve month period. Rate Ramp Asset/Liability Policy limit December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Changes in Interest Rates +200 bp -100 bp (5.0)% (0.9)% 0.2 % (5.0)% 0.8 % 1.4 % The ALCO’s policy review of interest rate risk includes policy limits for net interest income changes in various “rate shock” scenarios. Rate shocks assume that current interest rates change immediately. The information provided for net interest income assumes fluctuations or “rate shocks” for changes in interest rates as shown in the table below. Rate Shock Asset/Liability Policy limit December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Changes in Interest Rates +300 bp +200 bp +100 bp -100 bp (15.0)% (0.9)% 0.5 % (10.0)% (0.7)% 0.4 % (5.0)% (0.5)% 0.6 % (5.0)% (0.4)% 1.5 % The base case for the following table is an estimate of the Company’s net portfolio value for the periods presented using current discount rates, and assuming the Company’s interest-sensitive assets and liabilities remain at year-end levels. The net portfolio value at December 31, 2021 (the base case) was $1.28 billion. The information provided for the net portfolio value assumes fluctuations or rate shocks for changes in interest rates as shown in the table below. Rate Shock Asset/Liability Policy limit December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Changes in Interest Rates +300 bp +200 bp +100 bp -100 bp (25.0)% (10.9)% 0.3 % (20.0)% (7.0)% 1.5 % (10.0)% (2.7)% 2.8 % (10.0)% (7.0)% (10.1)% The Company's net portfolio value change in the -100 basis point scenario was -10.1% for 2020 compared to its policy limit of -10.0% resulting from the effects of the extremely low interest rate environment at the time. Management determined that no corrective action was necessary at the time and the portfolio value change was within policy limits during 2021. The information in the above tables represent the policy scenario that the ALCO reviews on a quarterly basis. There are also other scenarios run that the ALCO examines that vary depending on the economic environment. These scenarios include a yield curve flattening scenario and scenarios that show more dramatic changes in rates. The Committee uses alternative scenarios, depending on the economic environment, in its interest rate management decisions. -39- Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in net interest income requires the making of certain assumptions regarding prepayment and deposit decay rates, which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. While management believes such assumptions are reasonable, there can be no assurance that assumed prepayment rates and decay rates will approximate actual future loan prepayment and deposit withdrawal activity. Moreover, the net interest income table presented assumes that the composition of interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the net interest income table provides an indication of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to and does not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on net interest income and will differ from actual results. Effects of Inflation The impact of inflation, as it affects banks, differs substantially from the impact on non-financial institutions. Banks have assets which are primarily monetary in nature and which tend to move with inflation. This is especially true for banks with a high percentage of rate sensitive interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. A bank can further reduce the impact of inflation with proper management of its rate sensitivity gap. This gap represents the difference between interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities. Lakeland attempts to structure its assets and liabilities and manages its gap to protect against substantial changes in interest rate scenarios, in order to minimize the potential effects of inflation. Capital Resources Stockholders’ equity increased from $763.8 million on December 31, 2020 to $827.0 million on December 31, 2021, which was primarily due to $95.0 million of net income, partially offset by the payment of cash dividends on common stock of $27.1 million. Book value per common share (total common stockholders’ equity divided by the number of shares outstanding increased from $15.13 on December 31, 2020 to $16.34 on December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of an increase in retained net income. Tangible book value per share was $13.21 on December 31, 2021, increasing from $11.97 on December 31, 2020. For more information see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” The Company and Lakeland are subject to various regulatory capital requirements that are monitored by federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can lead to certain supervisory actions by regulators; any supervisory action could have a direct material adverse effect on the Company or Lakeland’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2021, the Company and Lakeland met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. The following table reflects capital ratios of the Company and Lakeland as of December 31, 2021 and 2020: Tier 1 Capital to Total Average Assets Ratio December 31, Common Equity Tier 1 to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio December 31, Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio December 31, Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio December 31, 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020 8.51 % 9.70 % 8.37 % 10.67 % 9.04 % 12.71 % 9.73 % 11.15 % 10.22 % 14.48 % 11.03 % 12.71 % 11.03 % 13.67 % 12.84 % 12.22 % 4.00 % 4.00 % 7.00 % 7.00 % 8.50 % 8.50 % 10.50 % 10.50 % 5.00 % 5.00 % 6.50 % 6.50 % 8.00 % 8.00 % 10.00 % 10.00 % Company Lakeland Required capital ratios including conservation buffer “Well capitalized” institution under FDIC regulations -40- The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act” was signed into law during the second quarter of 2018. The Act, among other matters, amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require federal banking agencies to develop a specified Community Bank Leverage Ratio (the ratio of a bank's equity capital to its average total consolidated assets for banks with assets of less than $10 billion. Qualifying participating banks that exceed this ratio shall be deemed to comply with all other capital and leverage requirements. In September 2019, the FDIC approved a final rule allowing community banks with a leverage capital ratio of at least 9% to be considered in compliance with Basel III capital requirements and exempt from the Basel Calculation. Under the final rule, banks with less than $10 billion in assets may elect the community bank leverage ratio framework if they meet the 9% ratio and if they hold 25% or less of assets in off-balance-sheet exposures, and 5% or less of assets in trading assets and liabilities. For institutions that fall below the 9% capital requirement but remain above 8%, the final rule establishes a two-quarter grace period to either meet the qualifying criteria again or comply with the generally applicable capital rule. In 2020, the CARES Act required the federal banking agencies to temporarily lower the Community Bank Leverage Ratio from 9% of average total consolidated assets to 8% for the remainder of 2020. The ratio rose to 8.5% for calendar year 2021 and will revert to 9% thereafter. Management did not elect to use the Community Bank Leverage Ratio framework for Lakeland Bancorp or Lakeland Bank. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Calculation of Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (in thousands, except per share amounts) Total common stockholders’ equity at end of period - GAAP Less: Goodwill Other identifiable intangible assets, net Total tangible common stockholders’ equity at end of period - Non-GAAP Shares outstanding at end of period Book value per share - GAAP Tangible book value per share - Non-GAAP Calculation of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (dollars in thousands) Total tangible common stockholders’ equity at end of period - Non-GAAP Total assets at end of period - GAAP Less: Goodwill Other identifiable intangible assets, net Total tangible assets at end of period - Non-GAAP Common equity to assets - GAAP Tangible common equity to tangible assets - Non-GAAP $ $ $ $ $ $ $ December 31, 2021 2020 827,014 $ 763,784 156,277 2,420 668,317 50,606 16.34 13.21 $ $ $ 156,277 3,288 604,219 50,480 15.13 11.97 December 31, 2021 2020 668,317 8,198,056 156,277 2,420 8,039,359 $ $ $ 604,219 7,664,297 156,277 3,288 7,504,732 10.09 % 8.31 % 9.97 % 8.05 % -41- Calculation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity: (dollars in thousands) For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2021 2019 Net income - GAAP Total average common stockholders’ equity - GAAP Less: Average goodwill Average other identifiable intangible assets, net Total average tangible common stockholders’ equity - Non-GAAP $ $ $ 95,041 795,554 156,277 2,866 636,411 $ $ $ 57,518 743,225 156,277 3,816 583,132 $ $ $ 70,672 697,037 154,971 4,883 537,183 Return on average common stockholders’ equity - GAAP 11.95 % 7.74 % 10.14 % Return on average tangible common stockholders’ equity - Non-GAAP 14.93 % 9.86 % 13.16 % Recent Accounting Pronouncements In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Update 2021-08, an update to Topic 805, Business Combinations. The update provides guidance to improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing diversity in practice and inconsistency related to the recognition of an acquired contract liability and payment terms and their effect on subsequent revenue recognized by the acquirer. The amendment provides specific guidance on how to recognize and measure acquired contract assets and contract liabilities from revenue contracts in a business combination. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that enter into a business combination within the scope of Subtopic 805-10, Business Combinations - Overall. This ASU will be effective for financial statements issued by public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. In March 2020, FASB issued Update 2020-04, an update to Topic 848, Reference Rate Reform. The update provides guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, reference rate reform on financial reporting. The update provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met and only applies to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In addition, the update provides optional expedients for applying the requirements of certain Topics or Industry Subtopics in the Codification for contracts that are modified because of reference rate reform and contemporaneous modifications of other contract terms related to the replacement of the reference rate. The ASU allows companies to apply the standard as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020 or any date thereafter. The Company is currently assessing the impact to its financial statements; however, the impact is not expected to be material. In January 2020, FASB issued Update 2020-01, an update to Topic 321, Investments, Topic 323, Joint Ventures and Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The update clarifies the accounting for certain equity securities upon the application or discontinuation of the equity method of accounting in accordance with Topic 321. In addition, the update clarifies scope considerations for forward contracts and purchased options on certain securities. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The update did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. In December 2019, FASB issued Update 2019-12, an update to Topic 740, Income Taxes, as part of an initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards for income taxes. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2021 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the update to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. Item 7A - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. See Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” -42- Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.: Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 28, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Change in Accounting Principle As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for the recognition and measurement of credit losses as of December 31, 2020, applied retroactively to January 1, 2020, due to the adoption of ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. Basis for Opinion These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Allowance for credit losses for loans evaluated on a collective basis As discussed in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s total allowance for credit losses on loans as of December 31, 2021 was $58.0 million, of which $53.8 million related to the allowance for credit losses on loans evaluated on a collective basis (collective ACL). Loans that share similar risk characteristics are grouped into respective portfolio segments for collective assessment, and as such make up the collective ACL. The Company uses an open pool loss-rate methodology that considers relevant information about past and current economic conditions, as well as a single economic forecast over a reasonable and supportable period. The company’s historical loss rate is adjusted for changes in economic forecast over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. The expected credit losses are the product of multiplying the Company’s adjusted loss rate by the amortized cost basis of each asset taking into consideration amortization, prepayment and defaults. After the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the adjusted loss rate reverts -43- on a straight-line basis to the historical loss rate. The reasonable and supportable and the reversion periods are established for each portfolio segment. A portion of the collective ACL is comprised of qualitative adjustments designed to address risks that are not previously captured in the open pool loss-rate model. We identified the assessment of the collective ACL as a critical audit matter. A high degree of audit effort, including specialized skills and knowledge, and subjective and complex auditor judgment was involved in the assessment of the collective ACL due to significant measurement uncertainty. Specifically, the assessment encompassed the evaluation of the collective ACL methodology, including methods and models used to estimate the (1) adjusted loss rate and its significant assumptions, comprising the economic forecast and macroeconomic variables, the reasonable and supportable forecast period including the reversion period, and estimated prepayments, and (2) the qualitative adjustments. The assessment also included an evaluation of the conceptual soundness and performance of the open pool loss-rate model. In addition, auditor judgment was required to evaluate the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained. The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s measurement of the collective ACL estimate, including controls over the: • • • • • • development of the collective ACL methodology, including the selection of the open pool loss-rate model continued use and appropriateness of changes made to the open pool loss-rate model performance monitoring of the open pool loss-rate model identification and determination of the significant assumptions used to measure the adjusted loss rate in the open pool loss-rate model development of the qualitative adjustments analysis of the collective ACL results, trends and ratios. We evaluated the Company’s process to develop the collective ACL estimate by testing certain sources of data, factors, and assumptions that the Company used, and considered the relevance and reliability of such data, factors and assumptions. In addition, we involved credit risk professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in: • • • • • • • evaluating the Company’s collective ACL methodology for compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles evaluating judgments made by the Company relative to the assessment of the open-pool loss-rate model by comparing them to relevant Company-specific metrics and trends and the applicable industry and regulatory practices assessing the conceptual soundness and performance monitoring of the open pool loss-rate model by inspecting the model documentation to determine whether the model is suitable for its intended use evaluating the selection of the economic forecast and macroeconomic variables by comparing it to the Company’s business environment and relevant industry practices evaluating the length of the reasonable and supportable forecast period and reversion period, by comparing them to specific portfolio risk characteristics and trends evaluating the judgments made by management in developing estimated prepayments by comparing to specific portfolio risk characteristics and trends evaluating the methodology used to develop the qualitative adjustments and the effect of those on the collective ACL compared with relevant credit risk factors and consistency with credit trends. We also assessed the sufficiency of the audit evidence obtained related to the collective ACL by evaluating the: • • • cumulative results of the audit procedures qualitative aspects of the Company’s accounting practices potential bias in the accounting estimates We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013. Short Hills, New Jersey February 28, 2022 -44- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2021 2020 (dollars in thousands) Assets Cash Interest-bearing deposits due from banks Total cash and cash equivalents Investment securities, available for sale, at estimated fair value (allowance for credit losses of $83 at December 31, 2021, and $2 at December 31, 2020) Investment securities, held to maturity (estimated fair value of $815,211 at December 31, 2021, and $93,868 at December 31, 2020, and allowance for credit losses of $181 at December 31, 2021, and none at December 31, 2020) Equity securities, at fair value Federal Home Loan Bank and other membership stock, at cost Loans held for sale Loans, net of deferred fees Less: Allowance for credit losses Total loans, net Premises and equipment, net Operating lease right-of-use assets Accrued interest receivable Goodwill Other identifiable intangible assets Bank owned life insurance Other assets Total Assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities Deposits Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase Other borrowings Subordinated debentures Operating lease liabilities Other liabilities Total Liabilities Stockholders’ Equity Common stock, no par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 50,737,400 shares and outstanding 50,606,365 shares at December 31, 2021, and issued 50,610,681 shares and outstanding 50,479,646 shares at December 31, 2020 Retained earnings Treasury shares, at cost, 131,035 shares at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 Accumulated other comprehensive income Total Stockholders’ Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. -45- $ $ $ $ $ 199,158 29,372 228,530 769,956 824,956 17,368 9,049 1,943 5,976,148 58,047 5,918,101 45,916 15,222 19,209 156,277 2,420 117,356 71,753 8,198,056 6,965,823 106,453 25,000 179,043 16,523 78,200 7,371,042 $ $ 262,327 7,763 270,090 855,746 90,766 14,694 11,979 1,335 6,021,232 71,124 5,950,108 48,495 16,772 19,339 156,277 3,288 115,115 110,293 7,664,297 6,455,783 169,560 25,000 118,257 18,183 113,730 6,900,513 565,862 259,340 (1,452) 3,264 827,014 8,198,056 $ 562,421 191,418 (1,452) 11,397 763,784 7,664,297 Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands, except per share data) Interest Income Loans and fees Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks Taxable investment securities and other Tax-exempt investment securities Total Interest Income Interest Expense Deposits Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase Other borrowings Total Interest Expense Net Interest Income (Benefit) provision for credit losses (1) Net Interest Income after (Benefit) Provision for Credit Losses Noninterest Income Service charges on deposit accounts Commissions and fees Income on bank owned life insurance (Loss) gain on equity securities Gains on sales of loans Gains on investment securities transactions, net Swap income Other income Total Noninterest Income Noninterest Expense Compensation and employee benefits Premises and equipment FDIC insurance expense Data processing expense Merger related expenses Other operating expenses Total Noninterest Expense Income before provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Net Income Per Share of Common Stock Basic earnings Diluted earnings Cash dividends paid Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ $ $ $ $ 237,037 440 17,208 2,633 257,318 16,793 78 5,612 22,483 234,835 (10,896) 245,731 9,856 6,939 2,676 (285) 2,264 9 634 268 22,361 82,589 24,773 2,341 5,454 1,782 23,818 140,757 127,335 32,294 95,041 1.85 1.85 0.53 $ $ $ $ $ 229,036 348 17,811 1,647 248,842 32,059 556 8,540 41,155 207,687 27,222 180,465 9,148 5,868 2,657 (552) 3,322 1,213 4,719 735 27,110 76,470 21,871 2,123 4,964 — 27,370 132,798 74,777 17,259 57,518 1.13 1.13 0.50 $ $ $ $ $ 233,535 1,720 19,722 1,510 256,487 49,248 1,471 9,734 60,453 196,034 2,130 193,904 11,205 6,230 2,740 496 1,660 — 3,231 1,234 26,796 75,347 19,710 431 4,913 3,178 23,177 126,756 93,944 23,272 70,672 1.39 1.38 0.49 (1) The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 as of December 31, 2020. Prior year periods have not been restated. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. -46- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ 95,041 $ 57,518 $ 70,672 (10,651) (6) 2,784 (265) (25) 30 (8,133) 86,908 $ 10,338 (872) — — (292) (25) 9,149 66,667 $ 10,718 — — — (586) (46) 10,086 80,758 $ (in thousands) Net Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax: Unrealized (losses) gains on securities available for sale Reclassification for securities gains included in net income Net gain on securities reclassified from available for sale to held to maturity Amortization of gain on debt securities reclassified to held to maturity Unrealized losses on derivatives Change in pension liability, net Other comprehensive (loss) income Total Comprehensive Income The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. -47- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity For the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands) Common Stock Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Balance at January 1, 2019 $ 514,703 $ 116,874 $ — $ (7,838) $ 623,739 Cumulative adjustment for adoption of ASU 842 Net income Other comprehensive income, net of tax Issuance of stock for Highlands acquisition Stock based compensation Retirement of restricted stock Exercise of stock options Cash dividends on common stock Balance at December 31, 2019 Cumulative adjustment for adoption of ASU 2016-13 Net income Other comprehensive income, net of tax Treasury stock Stock based compensation Retirement of restricted stock Cash dividends on common stock Balance at December 31, 2020 Net income Other comprehensive loss, net of tax Stock based compensation Retirement of restricted stock Exercise of stock options Cash dividends on common stock Balance at December 31, 2021 — — — 43,417 2,545 (715) 313 — 125 70,672 — — — — — (24,919) — — — — — — — — — — 10,086 — — — — — 125 70,672 10,086 43,417 2,545 (715) 313 (24,919) $ 560,263 $ 162,752 $ — $ 2,248 $ 725,263 — — — — 2,659 (501) (3,395) 57,518 — — — — — (25,457) — — — (1,452) — — — — — 9,149 — — — — (3,395) 57,518 9,149 (1,452) 2,659 (501) (25,457) $ 562,421 $ 191,418 $ (1,452) $ 11,397 $ 763,784 — — 4,073 (651) 19 — 95,041 — — — — (27,119) — — — — — — — (8,133) — — — — 95,041 (8,133) 4,073 (651) 19 (27,119) $ 565,862 $ 259,340 $ (1,452) $ 3,264 $ 827,014 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. -48- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating d activities: Net (accretion) amortization of premiums, discounts and deferred loan fees Depreciation and amortization Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets (Benefit) provision for credit losses Stock-based compensation Loans originated for sale Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale Gains on investment securities transactions, net Gains on sales of loans held for sale Income on bank owned life insurance Gain on death benefit from bank owned life insurance Change in fair value of equity securities (Gains) losses on other real estate and other repossessed assets Loss on sale of premises and equipment Long-term debt prepayment penalty Long-term debt extinguishment costs Deferred tax expense (benefit) Excess tax (deficiencies) benefits Decrease (increase) in other assets (Decrease) increase in other liabilities Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Net cash acquired in acquisitions Proceeds from repayments and maturities of available for sale securities Proceeds from repayments and maturities of held to maturity securities Proceeds from sales of equity securities Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities Purchase of available for sale securities Purchase of held to maturity securities Purchase of equity securities Proceeds from redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock Death benefit proceeds from bank owned life insurance Net decrease (increase) in loans Proceeds from sales of loans previously held for investment Proceeds from dispositions and sales of bank premises and equipment Purchases of premises and equipment Proceeds from sales of other real estate and other repossessed assets Net Cash Used in Investing Activities: -49- Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ 95,041 $ 57,518 $ 70,672 (3,981) 5,126 868 2,267 (10,896) 4,073 (56,956) 58,612 (9) (2,264) (2,550) (126) 285 (32) 281 — 831 5,422 (89) 36,589 (37,389) 95,103 — 181,706 66,709 — 4,402 (611,589) (310,128) (2,959) 13,817 (10,887) 470 35,945 21,765 278 (4,851) 32 (615,290) (728) 3,858 1,025 2,668 27,222 2,659 (113,203) 116,933 (1,213) (3,322) (2,657) — 552 (88) 77 4,133 — (6,763) (132) (53,982) 50,434 84,991 — 700,409 38,941 4,148 130,912 (921,343) (6,377) (2,772) 106,808 (96,282) — (876,021) — 50 (7,539) 1,044 (928,022) 3,660 1,645 1,182 2,592 2,130 2,545 (57,605) 59,748 — (1,660) (2,740) — (496) 72 497 — — 2,854 189 (13,246) 15,092 87,131 13,454 147,130 31,457 1,287 — (211,503) (21,453) (1,343) 95,643 (103,080) 121 (252,441) — 1,827 (5,936) 860 (303,977) Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 510,077 1,162,206 264,279 (63,107) — — — 147,738 (88,330) 19 (651) (27,119) 478,627 (41,560) 270,090 228,530 29,111 23,372 494,164 21,689 — — — 717 $ $ (159,098) 25,000 (169,948) (1,452) — — — (501) (25,457) 830,750 (12,281) 282,371 270,090 22,486 42,600 — — 393 — — 1,159 $ $ $ $ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 94,753 46,260 (89,353) — — — 313 (715) (24,919) 290,618 73,772 208,599 282,371 15,944 59,949 — — 665 18,651 20,203 1,748 1,767 22,734 426,118 23,125 9,304 483,048 409,638 40,957 2,490 453,085 43,417 (in thousands) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net increase in deposits (Decrease) increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase Proceeds from other borrowings Repayments of other borrowings Purchase of treasury stock Net proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt Redemption of subordinated debentures Exercise of stock options Retirement of restricted stock Dividends paid Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities: Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: Cash paid during the period for income taxes Cash paid during the period for interest Transfer of debt securities to held to maturity at fair value Transfer of loans to loans held for sale Transfer of loans into other real estate owned Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets Initial recognition of operating lease liabilities Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities Acquisitions: Non-cash assets acquired: Federal Home Loan Bank stock Investment securities Loans, including loans held for sale Goodwill and other intangible assets, net Other assets Total non-cash assets acquired Liabilities assumed: Deposits Other borrowings Other liabilities Total liabilities assumed Common stock issued for acquisitions The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. -50- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company whose principal activity is the ownership and management of its wholly owned subsidiary, Lakeland Bank (“Lakeland”). Lakeland operates under a state bank charter and provides full banking services and, as a state bank, is subject to regulation by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Lakeland generates commercial, mortgage and consumer loans and receives deposits from customers located primarily in northern and central New Jersey and the metropolitan New York area. Lakeland also provides non-deposit products, such as securities brokerage services including mutual funds, variable annuities and insurance. Lakeland operates as a commercial bank offering a wide variety of commercial loans and, to a lesser degree, consumer credits. Its primary strategic aim is to establish a reputation and market presence as the “small and middle market business bank” in its principal markets. Lakeland funds its loans primarily by offering demand deposit, savings and money market, and time deposit accounts to commercial enterprises, individuals and municipalities in the communities we serve. Additionally, it originates residential mortgage loans, and services such loans which are owned by other investors. Lakeland also has an equipment finance division which provides loans to finance equipment primarily to small and medium-sized business clients and an asset-based lending department which specializes in utilizing particular assets to fund the working capital needs of borrowers. The Company and Lakeland are subject to regulations of certain state and federal agencies and, accordingly, are periodically examined by those regulatory authorities. As a consequence of the extensive regulation of commercial banking activities, Lakeland’s business is particularly susceptible to being affected by state and federal legislation and regulations. Basis of Financial Statement Presentation The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries conform with U.S.generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and predominant practices within the banking industry. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, Lakeland, Lakeland NJ Investment Corp., Lakeland Investment Corp., Lakeland Equity, Inc. and Lakeland Preferred Equity, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements to conform with current year classifications. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The principal estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relates to the allowance for credit losses. The policies regarding this estimate are discussed below. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer. All of the Company’s financial services activities are interrelated and each activity is dependent and assessed based on how each of the activities of the Company supports the others. For example, commercial lending is dependent upon the ability of the Company to fund itself with deposits and other borrowings and to manage interest rate and credit risk. The situation is also similar for consumer and residential the Company primarily operates in one market area, northern and central New Jersey, mortgage lending. Moreover, metropolitan New York and contiguous areas. Therefore, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it has one operating segment and thus one reporting segment. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash on hand, cash items in the process of collection, amounts due from banks and federal funds sold with an original maturity of three months or less. A portion of Lakeland’s cash on hand and on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements. Securities Debt investment securities are classified as held to maturity or available for sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. Investments in securities, for which management has both the ability and intent to hold to maturity, are classified as held to maturity and carried at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts computed by the effective interest method. Investments in debt securities, which management believes may be sold prior to maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, liquidity requirements or other factors, are classified as available for sale. Net unrealized gains and losses for such securities, net of tax effect, are reported as other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders' equity and excluded from the determination of net income. -51- Gains or losses on disposition of securities are based on the net proceeds and the adjusted carrying amount of the securities sold using the specific identification method. For securities available for sale, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13") on December 31, 2020, effective January 1, 2020, which eliminates the concept of other than temporary impairment and instead requires entities to determine if impairment is related to credit loss or non-credit loss. In making the assessment of whether a loss is from credit or other factors, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance is created, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Subsequent activity related to the credit loss component in the form of write-offs or recoveries is recognized as part of the allowance for credit losses on securities available for sale. The allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities under ASU 2016-13 is initially recognized upon acquisition of the securities, and subsequently remeasured on a recurring basis. Held-to-maturity securities are reviewed upon acquisition to determine whether it has experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since its original issuance date, i.e., if they meet the definition of a purchased credit impaired asset (“PCDs”). Non-PCD held-to-maturity securities are carried at cost and adjusted for amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities through the life of the financial instrument are estimated and recognized as an allowance for credit losses on the balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to current earnings. Subsequent favorable or adverse changes in expected cash flow will first decrease or increase the allowance for credit losses. Management measures expected credit losses on held to maturity securities on a collective basis by major security type. The held to maturity portfolio is classified into the following major security types: U.S. government agencies, mortgage- backed securities-residential, collateralized mortgage obligations-residential, mortgage-backed securities-multi-family, collateralized mortgage obligations-multi-family and obligations of states and political subdivisions. All of the mortgage- backed securities are issued by U.S. government agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses and, therefore, the expectation of non-payment is zero. At each reporting period, the Company evaluates whether the securities in a segment continue to exhibit similar risk characteristics as the other securities in the segment. If the risk characteristics of a security change, such that they are no longer similar to other securities in the segment, the Company will evaluate the security with a different segment that shares more similar risk characteristics. A range of historical losses method is utilized in estimating the net amount expected to be collected for mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and obligations of states and political subdivisions. A debt security, either available for sale or held to maturity, is designated as non-accrual if the payment of interest is past due and unpaid for 30 days or more. Once a security is placed on non-accrual, accrued interest receivable is reversed and further interest income recognition is ceased. Since the non-accrual policy results in a timely reversal of interest receivable, the Company does not record an allowance for credit losses on interest receivable. The security will not be restored to accrual status until the security has been current on interest payments for a sustained period, i.e., a consecutive period of six months or two quarters; and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest. However, if the security continues to be in deferral status, or the Company does not expect to collect the remaining interest payments and the contractual principal, charge-off is to be assessed. Upon charge-off, the allowance is written off and the loss represents a permanent write- down of the cost basis of the security. The Company made the election to exclude accrued interest receivable on securities from the estimate of credit losses. Accrued interest receivable totaled $5.3 million and $3.3 million on securities at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Prior to January 1, 2020, we regularly evaluated our debt securities to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances indicating that a security with an unrealized loss has suffered other-than-temporary impairment. A debt security was considered impaired if the fair value was less than its amortized cost basis at the reporting date. If impaired, the Company then assessed whether the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary. An unrealized loss on a debt security was generally deemed to be other-than-temporary and a credit loss was deemed to exist if the present value, discounted at the security’s effective rate, of the expected future cash flows was less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. As a result, the credit loss component of an other-than-temporary impairment write-down for debt securities was recorded in earnings while the remaining portion of the impairment loss was recognized, net of tax, in other comprehensive income provided that the Company did not intend to sell the underlying debt security and it was more-likely-than not that the Company would not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery of the unrealized loss, which may be to maturity. If the Company intended to sell any securities with an unrealized loss or it was more-likely-than not that the Company would be required to sell the investment securities, before recovery of their amortized cost basis, then the entire unrealized loss would be recorded in earnings. -52- The Company has an equity securities portfolio which consists of investments in Community Reinvestment funds and investments in other financial institutions for market appreciation purposes. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company sold the remainder of its investments in other financial institutions. Net unrealized gains and losses for this portfolio are recognized through net income. Loans Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are carried at the amount of unpaid principal and are net of unearned discount, unearned loan fees and an allowance for credit losses. The Company elected to exclude accrued interest receivable balances from the amortized cost basis. Interest receivable is included as a separate line item on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company also elected not to estimate an allowance on interest receivable balances because it has policies in place that provide for the accrual of interest to cease on a timely basis when all contractual amounts due are not expected and accrued and unpaid interest is reversed. Interest income is accrued as earned on a simple interest basis, adjusted for prepayments. All unamortized fees and costs related to the loan are amortized over the life of the loan using the interest method. Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that full collection of interest and principal is doubtful. When a loan is placed on such non-accrual status, all accumulated accrued interest receivable is reversed out of current period income. At the time of adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company expanded its portfolio of collectively assessed loans to include nine portfolio segments, taking into consideration common loan attributes and risk characteristics, as well as historical reporting metrics and data availability. Loan attributes and risk characteristics considered in segmentation include: borrower type, repayment source, collateral type, product type, purpose or nature of financing, typical contractual maturity and repayment terms, interest rate structure, credit management metrics, lending policies and procedures, and personnel responsible for underwriting, approval, monitoring, and collections. The close alignment of the portfolio segments is consistent with shared drivers of credit loss (e.g., unemployment, interest rates, property values, etc.) expected among loans within the various segments. The nine segments include: 1. Non-owner Occupied Commercial: Permanent mortgages extended to investors and secured by non-owner occupied commercial real estate, such as office, retail, industrial and mixed-use properties. Primary source of repayment for these loans is rental income. These loans are generally originated with contractual terms of up to ten years with amortization based on a 25-year schedule. They are generally fully advanced with no unfunded commitment. 2. Owner Occupied Commercial: Permanent mortgages extended to businesses and secured by owner occupied commercial real estate, such as office, retail, and industrial properties. Primary source of repayment for these loans is operating cash flow. These loans are generally originated with contractual terms of up to ten years with amortization based on a 25-year schedule. They are generally fully advanced with no unfunded commitment. 3. Multifamily: Permanent mortgages extended to investors and secured by multifamily residential real estate. Primary source of repayment for these loans is rental income. These loans are generally originated with contractual terms of up to ten years with amortization based on a 30-year schedule. They are generally fully advanced with no unfunded commitment. 4. Non-owner Occupied Residential: Permanent mortgages extended to investors and secured by one to four family residential real estate. Primary source of repayment for these loans is rental income. These loans are generally originated with contractual terms of up to ten years with amortization based on a 25-year schedule. They are generally fully advanced with no unfunded commitment. 5. Commercial, Industrial and Other: Commercial loans extended to businesses. These loans may be either unsecured or secured by various types of collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and/or real estate. Primary source of repayment for these loans is operating cash flow. These loans are generally originated with terms of one to seven years and may be used for working capital (i.e. revolving lines of credit) or purchase of fixed assets (i.e. term loans). This category includes loans originated under the Small Business Administration's ("SBA") Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), which has no corresponding allowance for credit loss because they are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. 6. Construction: Interim loans for the development or construction of commercial or residential property. Repayment may come from either the sale or refinance of the real estate that secures the loan. These loans are typically originated with a term of one to three years with interest-only payments. These loans are advanced as development or construction progresses and usually reflect an unfunded commitment during the loan term. -53- 7. Equipment Finance: Term financing extended to businesses. These loans are typically originated for the purchase of fixed assets, such as machinery, equipment, and vehicles and are secured by the acquired assets. Primary source of repayment for these loans is operating cash flow. These loans are generally originated with terms of three to five years with repayment in equal monthly installments over the term of the loan. 8. Residential: Permanent mortgages extended to consumers and secured by owner occupied one to four family residential real estate held in portfolio. Primary source of repayment for these loans is personal income. These loans are generally originated with contractual terms of 15 to 30 years and are fully amortizing over their term. They are fully advanced at closing with no unfunded commitment. 9. Consumer: Loans extended to consumers with primary source of repayment being personal income. The Consumer segment includes home equity lines of credit, closed-end home equity loans (secured by both first and junior liens) and other consumer loans, such as automobile and revolving credit plans. Commercial loans are placed on non-accrual status with all accrued interest and unpaid interest reversed if (a) because of the deterioration in the financial position of the borrowers they are maintained on a cash basis (which means payments are applied when and as received rather than on a regularly scheduled basis), (b) payment in full of interest or principal is not expected, or (c) principal and interest have been in default for a period of 90 days or more unless the obligation is both well- secured and in process of collection. Residential mortgage loans and closed-end consumer loans are placed on non-accrual status at the time principal and interest have been in default for a period of 90 days or more, except where there exists sufficient collateral to cover the defaulted principal and interest payments, and the loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. Open-end consumer loans secured by real estate are generally placed on non-accrual and reviewed for charge-off when principal and interest payments are four months in arrears unless the obligations are well-secured and in the process of collection. Interest thereafter on such charged-off loans is taken into income when received only after full recovery of principal. As a general rule, a non-accrual asset may be restored to accrual status when none of its principal or interest is due and unpaid, satisfactory payments have been received for a sustained period (usually six months), or when it otherwise becomes well- secured and in the process of collection. With the adoption of ASU 2016-13, loans acquired in a business combination that have experienced a more-than- significant deterioration in credit quality since origination are considered purchased credit deteriorated ("PCD") loans. Management evaluates acquired loans for deterioration in credit quality based on the following: (a) non-accrual status; (b) troubled debt restructured designation; (c) risk rating lower than "Pass," and (d) delinquency status. At the acquisition date, an estimate of expected credit losses is made for groups of PCD loans with similar risk characteristics and individual PCD loans without similar risk characteristics. This initial allowance for credit losses is allocated to individual PCD loans and added to the purchase price or acquisition date fair values to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. As the initial allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price, there is no credit loss expense recognized upon acquisition of a PCD loan. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance of PCD loans and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to noncredit factors and results in a discount or premium, which is recognized through interest income on a level-yield basis over the lives of the related loans. All loans considered to be purchased credit-impaired ("PCI") prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 were converted to PCD upon adoption. For acquired loans not deemed to be PCD at acquisition, the differences between the initial fair value and the unpaid principal balance are recognized as interest income on a level-yield basis over the lives of the related loans. At the acquisition date, an initial allowance for expected credit losses is estimated and recorded as credit loss expense. The subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for all acquired loans is the same as the subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for originated loans. Allowance for Credit Losses Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the allowance for credit losses reserve including the allowance for the funded portion and the reserve for the unfunded portion, represents management’s estimate of current expected credit losses in the Company’s loan portfolio over its expected life, which is the contract term adjusted for expected prepayments and options to extend the contractual term that are not unconditionally cancellable by us. Management’s measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, prepayments and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. It is presented as an offset to the amortized cost basis or as a separate liability in the case of off-balance-sheet credit exposures. The Company uses an open pool loss-rate method to calculate an institution-specific historical loss rate based on historical loan level loss experience for collectively assessed loans with similar risk characteristics. The Company’s methodology considers relevant information about past and current economic conditions, as well as a single economic forecast over a reasonable and supportable period. The loss rate is applied over the remaining life of loans to develop a “baseline lifetime loss.” The baseline lifetime loss is adjusted for changes in macroeconomic variables, including but not limited to interest rates, housing prices, GDP and unemployment, over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. After the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the adjusted loss rate reverts on a straight-line basis to the historical loss rate. The reasonable and supportable forecast and the reversion periods are established for each portfolio segment. The Company measures expected credit losses of financial assets by multiplying the adjusted loss rates to the amortized cost basis of each -54- asset taking into consideration amortization, prepayment and defaults. Changes in any of these factors, assumptions or the availability of new information, could require that the allowance be adjusted in future periods, perhaps materially. Qualitative Adjustments: The Company considers five standard qualitative general reserve factors ("qualitative adjustments"): nature and volume of loans, lending management, policy and procedures, independent review and changes in environment. Qualitative adjustments are designed to address risks that are not captured in the quantitative reserves (“quantitative reserve”). Other qualitative adjustments or model overlays may also be recorded based on expert credit judgment in circumstances where, in the Company’s view, the standard qualitative reserve factors do not capture all relevant risk factors. The use of qualitative reserves may require significant judgment that may impact the amount of allowance recognized. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the allowance for loan losses was determined in accordance with previous applicable U.S. GAAP and was the estimated amount considered necessary to cover probable and reasonably estimable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. In determining the allowance, management would make significant estimates and judgments. The allowance was established through a provision for loan losses charged against income. Loan principal considered to be uncollectible by management was charged against the allowance. Management believed that the allowance was adequate to cover identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in the portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable. When an individual loan no longer demonstrates the similar credit risk characteristics as other loans within its current segment, the Company evaluates each for expected credit losses on an individual basis. All non-accrual loans $500,000 and above and all loans designated as troubled debt restructured loans (“TDRs”) are individually evaluated. For collateral- dependent loans, the Company considers the fair value of the collateral, net of anticipated selling costs and other adjustments. For non collateral-dependent individually evaluated loans, the impairment will be measured using the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate. Shortfalls in collateral or cash flows are charged-off or specifically reserved for in the period the short-fall is identified. Charge-offs are recommended by the Chief Credit Officer and approved by the Company's Board of Directors. TDRs are those loans where significant concessions have been made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. Restructured loans typically involve a modification of terms such as a reduction of the stated interest rate lower than the current market rate of a new loan with similar risk, an extended moratorium of principal payments and/or an extension of the maturity date. Insignificant delays in payments are not considered TDRs. Loans that are classified as TDRs will continue to be classified as a TDR until it is fully repaid or until it meets all of the following criteria: 1) the borrower is no longer experiencing financial difficulties, 2) the rate is not less than the rate provided for similar credit risk, 3) other terms are no less favorable than similar new debt and 4) no concessions were granted. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, all loans with the TDR designation were considered to be impaired, even if they were accruing. With the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the definition of impaired loans was removed from accounting guidance. To identify loans which meet the definition of a reasonably expected TDR under ASC 326-20, the Company has determined the following criteria to be used in assessing whether a loan is considered a reasonably expected TDR: • • • • A loan with a risk rating of Special Mention, or worse; A loan identified as a foreclosure in process; Indicated via review and assessment that a modification is probable; and A modification approved, on a net concession/modification basis, that benefits the customer. The methods for estimating expected credit losses on reasonably expected TDRs are the same as those specified for existing TDRs. Reasonably expected TDR’s $500,000 and above that are anticipated to remain on accrual status will normally have their reserves determined using the discounted cash flow method, while those below $500,000 will be included in, and be assessed as part of, the population of collectively evaluated pooled loans. Reasonably expected TDRs that are anticipated to be placed on non-accrual status will be considered collateral-dependent. Section 4013 of the CARES Act, as interpreted by the "Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working With Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised)" (“Revised Statement”), dated April 17, 2020, includes criteria that enable financial institutions to exclude from TDR status loans that are modified in connection with COVID-19. Under these provisions, TDR status is not required for the term of a loan modification if (i) the loan modification was made in connection with COVID-19, (ii) the loan was not past due more than 30 days as of December 31, 2019 and (iii) the loan modification was entered into during the period between March 1, 2020, and the earlier of (a) 60 days after COVID-19 was no longer characterized as a National Emergency or (b) December 31, 2020. In December 2020, CAA extended this guidance to modifications made until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency. Furthermore, pursuant to the Revised Statement, for loan modifications that do not meet these criteria but are made in connection with COVID-19, such loans may be presumed not to be TDR if the loan was current at the time the loan modification program was implemented and the modifications are short-term (e.g., six months). If the criteria are not met under either Section 4013 or the Revised Statement, banks are required to follow their existing accounting policies to determine -55- whether COVID-related modifications should be accounted for as a TDR. The Company has elected to suspend the classification of loan modifications as TDR if they qualify under Section 4013 or the Revised Statement. For past due status, the CARES Act also provides for lenders to continue to report loans in the same delinquency bucket they were in at the time of modification. The Company applied this guidance beginning in 2020. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company defined impaired loans, a concept that is eliminated in Topic 326, as all non-accrual loans with recorded investments of $500,000 or greater. Impaired loans also included all loans modified as troubled debt restructurings. Loans were considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it was probable that Lakeland would be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled principal and interest payments. Impairment was measured based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, Lakeland measured impairment based on a loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if the loan was collateral-dependent. Regardless of the measurement method, Lakeland measured impairment based on the fair value of the collateral when it was determined that foreclosure was probable. Most of Lakeland’s impaired loans were collateral-dependent. Shortfalls in collateral or cash flows were charged-off or specifically reserved for in the period the short-fall was identified. Charge-offs were recommended by the Chief Credit Officer and approved by the Company's Board of Directors. Lakeland grouped impaired commercial loans under $500,000 into homogeneous pools and collectively evaluated them. Interest received on impaired loans was recorded as interest income. However, if management was not reasonably certain that an impaired loan would be repaid in full, or if a specific time frame to resolve full collection could not yet be reasonably determined, all payments received were recorded as reductions of principal. A loan that management designated as impaired was reviewed for charge-off when it was placed on non-accrual status with a resulting charge-off if the loan was not secured by collateral having sufficient liquidation value to repay the loan if the loan was collateral dependent or charged off if deemed uncollectible. For a loan that was not collateral dependent, a reserve would be established for any shortfall in expected cash flows. Charge-offs were recommended by the Chief Credit Officer and approved by the Board of Directors. Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures The Company is required to include the unfunded commitment that is expected to be funded in the future within the allowance calculation. The Company participates in lending that results in an off-balance-sheet unfunded commitment balance. Funding commitments are currently underwritten with conditionally cancellable language by the Company. To determine the expected funding balance remaining, the Company uses a historical utilization rate for each of the segments to calculate the expected commitment balance and determines the expected credit loss based on the same method used to calculate the quantitative reserve for funded loans, applied to the expected balance over the remaining life of the loan, taking into consideration amortization, prepayments and defaults. The allowance for credit reserve for unfunded lending commitments is recorded in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding provision is included in the provision for credit losses. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company recorded a provision for unfunded lending commitments in its other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income. Loans Held for Sale Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value. Gains and losses on sales of loans are specifically identified and accounted for in accordance with U.S. GAAP which requires that an entity engaged in mortgage banking activities classify the retained mortgage-backed security or other interest, which resulted from the securitization of a mortgage loan held for sale, based upon its ability and intent to sell or hold these investments. Premises and Equipment, Net Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the terms of the related leases. including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost Other Real Estate Owned and Other Repossessed Assets Other real estate owned ("OREO") and other repossessed assets, representing property acquired through foreclosure (or deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure), are carried at fair value less estimated disposal costs of the acquired property. Costs relating to holding the assets are charged to expense. An allowance for OREO or other repossessed assets is established, through charges to expense, to maintain properties at fair value less estimated costs to sell. Operating results of OREO and other repossessed assets, including rental income and operating expenses, are included in other expenses. -56- Mortgage Servicing Lakeland performs various servicing functions on loans owned by others. A fee, usually based on a percentage of the outstanding principal balance of the loan, is received for these services. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, Lakeland was servicing approximately $35.3 million and $34.1 million, respectively, of loans for others. Lakeland originates certain mortgages under a definitive plan to sell those loans and service the loans owned by the investor. Upon the transfer of the mortgage loans in a sale, Lakeland records the servicing assets retained. Lakeland records mortgage servicing rights and the loans based on relative fair values at the date of origination and evaluates the mortgage servicing rights for impairment at each reporting period. Lakeland also originates loans that it sells to other banks and investors and does not retain the servicing rights. Mortgage Servicing Rights When mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Lakeland had originated mortgage servicing rights of $188,000 and $129,000, respectively. Under the amortization measurement method, Lakeland subsequently measures servicing rights at fair value at each reporting date and records any impairment in value of servicing assets in earnings in the period in which the impairment occurs. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Servicing fee income, which is reported on the income statement as commissions and fees, is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan, and are recorded as income when earned. Transfers of Financial Assets Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets. Derivatives Lakeland enters into interest rate swaps (“swaps”) with loan customers to provide a facility to mitigate the fluctuations in the variable rate on the respective loans. These swaps are matched in offsetting terms to swaps that Lakeland enters into with an outside third party. The swaps are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities. Lakeland’s swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments, thus any net gain or loss resulting from changes in the fair value is recognized in swap income. The credit risk associated with derivatives executed with customers is similar as that involved in extending loans and is subject to normal credit policies. Collateral is obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer. The positions of customer derivatives are recorded at fair value and changes in value are included in swap income on the consolidated statement of income. Cash flow hedges are used primarily to minimize the variability in cash flows of assets or liabilities, or forecasted transactions caused by interest rate fluctuations. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are reclassified into the line item in the income statement in which the hedged item is recorded in the same period the hedged item affects earnings. Hedge ineffectiveness and gains and losses on the component of a derivative excluded in assessing hedge effectiveness are recorded in the same income statement line item. Further discussion of Lakeland’s financial derivatives is set forth in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Earnings Per Share Earnings per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock. -57- Employee Benefit Plans The Company has certain employee benefit plans covering substantially all employees. The Company accrues such costs as incurred. We recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and postretirement benefit plans in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actuarial gains and losses, prior service costs or credits, and any remaining transition assets or obligations are recognized as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax effects, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost. Comprehensive Income (Loss The Company reports comprehensive income (loss) in addition to net income from operations. Other comprehensive income or loss includes items recorded directly in equity such as unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale, net gain on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity and unrealized gains or losses recorded on derivatives and benefit plans. Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting consist of goodwill and other intangible assets. On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment. The guidance removed step two of the goodwill impairment test, which had required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. The ASU does not change the optional qualitative assessment which allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, commonly referred to as the qualitative assessment or step zero. Goodwill is allocated to Lakeland's one reporting unit at the date goodwill is actually recorded. As of December 31, 2021, the carrying value of goodwill totaled $156.3 million. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test, as of November 30, 2021, and determined that the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit to be in excess of its carrying value. The Company qualitatively assessed the current economic environment, including the estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on macroeconomic variables and economic forecasts, and on the Company's stock price, considering how these might impact the fair value of its reporting unit. After consideration of these items, the Company determined that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of its reporting unit was above its book value as of our goodwill impairment test date. The Company will test goodwill for impairment between annual test dates if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying amount. No events have occurred and no circumstances have changed since the annual impairment test date that would indicate the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying amount. Bank Owned Life Insurance Lakeland invests in bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”). BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by Lakeland on a chosen group of employees. Lakeland is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, Lakeland had $117.4 million and $115.1 million, respectively, in BOLI. Income earned on BOLI was $2.7 million for the each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. BOLI is accounted for using the cash surrender value method and is recorded at its net realizable value. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse. Deferred tax expense is the result of changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The principal types of differences between assets and liabilities for financial statement and tax return purposes are allowance for credit losses, core deposit intangibles, deferred loan fees and deferred compensation. Variable Interest Entities Management has determined that Lakeland Bancorp Capital Trust II and Lakeland Bancorp Capital Trust IV (collectively, “the Trusts”) qualify as variable interest entities. The Trusts issued mandatorily redeemable preferred stock to investors and loaned the proceeds to the Company. The Trusts hold, as their sole asset, subordinated debentures issued by the Company. The Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of the Trusts, therefore the Trusts are not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s maximum exposure to the Trusts is $30.0 million at December 31, 2021, which is the Company’s liability to the Trusts and includes the Company’s investment in the Trusts. -58- The Federal Reserve has issued guidance on the regulatory capital treatment for the trust preferred securities issued by the Trusts. The rule retains the current maximum percentage of total capital permitted for trust preferred securities at 25%, but enacts other changes to the rules governing trust preferred securities that affect their use as part of the collection of entities known as “restricted core capital elements.” The rule allows bank holding companies to continue to count trust preferred securities as Tier 1 Capital. The Company’s capital ratios continue to be categorized as “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. Under the Collins Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, any new issuance of trust preferred securities by the Company would not be eligible as regulatory capital. Note 2 - Business Combinations The Company completed its acquisition of Highlands Bancorp, Inc. ("Highlands"), a bank holding company headquartered in Vernon, New Jersey, on January 4, 2019. Highlands was the parent of Highlands State Bank, which operated four branches in Sussex, Passaic and Morris Counties in New Jersey. This acquisition enabled the Company to broaden its presence in those counties. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Highlands' assets were recorded at their fair values as of January 4, 2019 and Highlands' results of operations are included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income from that date forward. Direct costs related to acquisitions were expensed as incurred. In 2021 and 2019, the Company recorded $1.8 million and $3.2 million of merger and integration-related expenses, respectively, which have been separately stated in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recorded no merger related expenses in 2020. Note 3 - Earnings Per Share The Company uses the two class method to compute earnings per common share. Participating securities include non- vested restricted stock and non-vested restricted stock units. The following tables present the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented. Year Ended December 31, 2021 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic earnings per share Net income available to common shareholders Less: earnings allocated to participating securities Net income available to common shareholders Effect of dilutive securities Stock options and restricted stock Diluted earnings per share Net income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic earnings per share Net income available to common shareholders Less: earnings allocated to participating securities Net income available to common shareholders Effect of dilutive securities Stock options and restricted stock Diluted earnings per share Net income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions $ $ $ Income (Numerator) Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount 95,041 1,142 93,899 — $ 50,624 — 50,624 246 93,899 50,870 $ Income (Numerator) Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount 57,518 511 57,007 — $ 50,540 — 50,540 110 $ 57,007 50,650 $ 1.87 0.02 1.85 — 1.85 1.14 0.01 1.13 — 1.13 -59- Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic earnings per share Net income available to common shareholders Less: earnings allocated to participating securities Net income available to common shareholders $ Effect of dilutive securities Stock options and restricted stock Diluted earnings per share Net income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions Income (Numerator) Shares (Denominator) Per Share Amount 70,672 596 70,076 — $ 50,477 — 50,477 1.40 0.01 1.39 165 (0.01) $ 70,076 50,642 $ 1.38 There were no antidilutive options to purchase common stock to be excluded from the above computations. Note 4 - Securities The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, allowance for credit losses and the fair value of the Company's investment securities available for sale are as follows: December 31, 2021 (in thousands) U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Collateralized mortgage obligations, multifamily Asset-backed securities Debt securities Total Amortized Cost 202,961 $ 238,456 191,086 1,816 32,254 52,518 49,598 768,689 $ $ $ Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Allowance for Credit Losses 1,215 $ 1,250 1,693 — 511 153 959 5,781 $ (789) $ (1,731) (1,488) (75) (246) (87) (15) (4,431) $ December 31, 2020 — $ — — — — — (83) (83) $ (in thousands) U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Collateralized mortgage obligations, multifamily Asset-backed securities Obligations of states and political subdivisions Debt securities Total Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Allowance for Credit Losses $ $ 63,868 $ 224,978 204,093 1,944 39,628 40,915 228,790 35,056 839,272 $ 1,447 $ 3,718 4,967 — 1,909 — 5,149 616 17,806 $ (313) $ (540) (22) — (2) (225) (228) — (1,330) $ — $ — — — — — (1) (1) (2) $ -60- Fair Value 203,387 237,975 191,291 1,741 32,519 52,584 50,459 769,956 Fair Value 65,002 228,156 209,038 1,944 41,535 40,690 233,710 35,671 855,746 The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, allowance for credit losses and the fair value of the Company's investment securities held to maturity are as follows: (in thousands) U.S. government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Obligations of states and political subdivisions Debt securities Total (in thousands) U.S. government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Obligations of states and political subdivisions Total December 31, 2021 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Allowance for Credit Losses $ $ 18,672 $ 370,247 13,921 2,710 416,587 3,000 825,137 $ 293 $ 718 168 26 810 31 2,046 $ — $ (5,989) — (2) (5,800) — (11,791) $ December 31, 2020 — $ — — — (21) (160) (181) $ Fair Value 18,965 364,976 14,089 2,734 411,576 2,871 815,211 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Allowance for Credit Losses Fair Value $ $ 25,565 $ 39,276 14,590 705 10,630 90,766 $ 779 $ 1,469 532 54 280 3,114 $ — $ (12) — — — (12) $ — $ — — — — — $ 26,344 40,733 15,122 759 10,910 93,868 During the third quarter of 2021, the Company transferred $494.2 million of previously designated investment securities available for sale to a held to maturity designation at estimated fair value. The reclassification for the period ended September 30, 2021 is permitted as the Company has appropriately determined the ability and intent to hold these securities as an investment until maturity or call. The securities transferred had an unrealized net gain of $3.8 million at the time of transfer, which is reflected, net of taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheet. Subsequent amortization will be recognized over the life of the securities. The Company recorded net amortization of $383,000 during the year ended December 31, 2021. The following table lists contractual maturities of investment securities classified as available for sale and held to maturity as of December 31, 2021. 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. (in thousands) Due in one year or less Due after one year through five years Due after five years through ten years Due after ten years Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities Total Available for Sale Held to Maturity Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value $ $ 12,005 58,188 124,825 57,541 252,559 516,130 768,689 $ $ 12,063 58,409 125,735 57,639 253,846 516,110 769,956 $ $ 21,345 34,047 42,528 340,339 438,259 386,878 825,137 $ $ 21,497 34,192 42,315 335,408 433,412 381,799 815,211 For the year ended December 31, 2021, there were proceeds from sales of available for sale securities of $4.4 million with gross gains on sales of securities of $9,000 and no gross losses on sales of securities. There were proceeds from sales of available for sale securities of $130.9 million with gross gains on sales of securities of $1.3 million and gross losses on sales of securities of $248,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. There were no sales of securities for the year ended -61- December 31, 2019. Gains or losses on sales of securities are based on the net proceeds and the adjusted carrying amount of the securities sold using the specific identification method. Securities with a carrying value of approximately $1.04 billion and $578.0 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required by applicable laws and regulations. The following tables indicate the length of time individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods presented: December 31, 2021 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total (dollars in thousands) AVAILABLE FOR SALE Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies $ 76,106 $ 322 $ 14,670 $ Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Collateralized mortgage obligations, multifamily Asset-backed securities Debt securities Total HELD TO MATURITY Mortgage-backed securities, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Obligations of states and political subdivisions 176,990 86,749 — 9,083 14,688 15,325 378,941 340,474 2,051 307,827 $ $ $ $ 1,465 1,429 — 210 87 (5) 3,508 5,882 2 5,800 $ $ 14,582 5,000 1,741 1,072 — 980 38,045 2,376 — — $ $ 467 266 59 75 36 — 20 923 $ 107 — — Total $ 650,352 $ 11,684 $ 2,376 $ 107 $ 15 45 18 1 4 3 8 94 96 1 239 336 $ 90,776 $ 191,572 91,749 1,741 10,155 14,688 16,305 416,986 342,850 2,051 307,827 $ $ $ $ 789 1,731 1,488 75 246 87 15 4,431 5,989 2 5,800 $ 652,728 $ 11,791 December 31, 2020 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total (dollars in thousands) AVAILABLE FOR SALE Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Fair Value Unrealized Losses U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies $ 4,966 $ 29 $ 17,652 $ 284 Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Collateralized mortgage obligations, multifamily Asset-backed securities Obligations of states and political subdivisions Total HELD TO MATURITY Mortgage-backed securities, residential Total 84,137 23,858 1,943 2,527 40,690 15,901 174,022 2,561 2,561 $ $ $ $ $ $ 471 22 — 2 225 228 977 12 12 $ $ $ 5,656 — — — — — 69 — — — — — 23,308 $ 353 — $ — $ — — 6 30 7 1 1 6 10 61 4 4 $ 22,618 $ 89,793 23,858 1,943 2,527 40,690 15,901 197,330 2,561 2,561 $ $ $ $ $ $ 313 540 22 — 2 225 228 1,330 12 12 For available for sale securities, the Company assesses whether a loss is from credit or other factors and considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows is less than the amortized cost, a credit loss exists and an allowance is created, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. For held to maturity securities, management measures expected credit losses on a collective basis by major security type. All of the mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses and, therefore, the expectation of non-payment is zero. A range of historical losses method is utilized in estimating the net amount expected to be collected for mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and obligations of states and political subdivisions. -62- The gross unrealized losses reported for residential mortgage-backed securities relate to investment securities issued by U.S. government sponsored entities such as Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and U.S. government agencies such as Government National Mortgage Association. The total gross unrealized losses, shown in the tables above, were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and levels of market liquidity, relative to when the investment securities were purchased, and not due to the credit quality of the investment securities. Credit Quality Indicators Credit ratings, which are updated monthly, are a key measure for estimating the probability of a bond's default and for monitoring credit quality on an on-going basis. For bonds other than U.S. Treasuries and bonds issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, credit ratings issued by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organization are considered in conjunction with an assessment by the Company's management. Investment grade reflects a credit quality of A or above. The tables below indicate the credit profile of the Company's investment securities held to maturity at amortized cost for the periods presented: December 31, 2021 (in thousands) AAA AA A BBB Not Rated Total U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies $ 18,672 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 18,672 Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Obligations of states and political subdivisions Debt securities Total December 31, 2020 (in thousands) U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Obligations of states and political subdivisions Total Equity securities at fair value 370,247 13,921 2,710 — — — — — — 143,777 270,909 — — 1,068 — — — — — 3,000 — — — 833 — 370,247 13,921 2,710 416,587 3,000 $ 549,327 $ 270,909 $ 1,068 $ 3,000 $ 833 $ 825,137 AAA AA Total $ 25,565 $ — $ 39,276 14,590 705 2,959 — — — 7,671 $ 83,095 $ 7,671 $ 25,565 39,276 14,590 705 10,630 90,766 The Company has an equity securities portfolio which consists of investments in Community Reinvestment funds. The fair value of the equity portfolio was $17.4 million and $14.7 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company recorded no sales of equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2021 and recorded $4.1 million and $1.3 million of proceeds from sales of equity securities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company recorded $285,000 and $552,000 in fair value losses on equity securities in noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. and fair value gains on equity securities of $496,000 during 2019. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's investments in Community Reinvestment funds include $6.8 million that are primarily invested in community development loans that are guaranteed by the SBA. Because the funds are primarily guaranteed by the federal government, there are minimal changes in fair value between accounting periods. These funds can be redeemed with 60 days' notice at the net asset value less unpaid management fees with the approval of the fund manager. As of December 31, 2021, the net amortized cost equaled the fair value of the investment. There are no unfunded commitments related to these investments. The Community Reinvestment funds also include $10.5 million of investment in government guaranteed loans, mortgage-backed securities, small business loans and other instruments supporting affordable housing and economic development as of December 31, 2021. The Company may redeem these funds at the net asset value calculated at the end of the current business day less any unpaid management fees. There are no restrictions on redemptions for the holdings in these investments other than the notice required by the fund manager. There are no unfunded commitments related to these investments. -63- Note 5 – Loans The following table summarizes the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio. (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 $ $ 2,316,284 908,449 972,233 177,097 462,406 302,228 123,212 438,710 275,529 5,976,148 $ $ 2,398,946 827,092 813,225 200,229 718,189 266,883 116,690 377,380 302,598 6,021,232 Loans are recognized at amortized cost, which includes principal balance and net deferred loan fees and costs. The Company elected to exclude accrued interest receivable from amortized cost. Accrued interest receivable is reported separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $13.9 million at December 31, 2021 and $16.1 million at December 31, 2020. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and the net fee or cost is recognized in interest income as an adjustment of yield. Net deferred loan fees are included in loans by respective segment and total $5.8 million and $10.0 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Small Business Association ("SBA") Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans totaled $56.6 million and $284.6 million, respectively, and are included in the balance of commercial, industrial and other loans. Consumer loans included overdraft deposit balances of $184,000 and $650,000 at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Loans pledged for potential borrowings at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLB") totaled $2.30 billion and $2.28 billion at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Credit Quality Indicators Management closely and continually monitors the quality of its loans and assesses the quantitative and qualitative risks arising from the credit quality of its loans. Lakeland assigns a credit risk rating to all loans and loan commitments. The credit risk rating system has been developed by management to provide a methodology to be used by loan officers, department heads and senior management in identifying various levels of credit risk that exist within the loan portfolios. The risk rating system assists senior management in evaluating the loan portfolio and analyzing trends. In assigning risk ratings, management considers, among other things, the borrower’s ability to service the debt based on relevant information such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic conditions. Management categorizes loans and commitments into the following risk ratings: Pass: "Pass" assets are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or guarantors, if any, or by the fair value of any underlying collateral. Watch: "Watch" assets require more than the usual amount of monitoring due to declining earnings, strained cash flow, increasing leverage and/or weakening market. These borrowers generally have limited additional debt capacity and modest coverage and average or below average asset quality, margins and market share. Special Mention: "Special mention" assets exhibit identifiable credit weakness, which if not checked or corrected could weaken the loan quality or inadequately protect the bank’s credit position at some future date. Substandard: "Substandard" assets are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligors or of the collateral pledged, if any. A substandard loan has a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that may jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Doubtful: "Doubtful" assets that exhibit all of the weaknesses inherent in substandard loans, but have the added characteristics that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full improbable on the basis of existing facts. Loss: “Loss” is a rating for loans or portions of loans that are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable loans is not warranted. -64- The following table presents the risk category of loans by class of loan and vintage as of December 31, 2021. Term Loans by Origination Year (in thousands) 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Pre-2017 Revolving Loans Revolving to Term Total Non-owner occupied commercial Pass Watch Special mention Substandard $ 363,459 $ 516,131 $ 295,944 $ 189,592 $ 195,733 $ 562,338 $ 18,795 $ — $2,141,992 — — 119 — 458 431 25,292 — 332 14,660 5,749 2,656 4,641 14,639 8,000 47,011 6,602 43,572 130 — — — — — 91,734 27,448 55,110 Total 363,578 517,020 321,568 212,657 223,013 659,523 18,925 — 2,316,284 Owner occupied commercial Pass Watch Special mention Substandard Total Multifamily Pass Watch Special mention Substandard Pass Watch Special mention Substandard Total 209,515 133,292 — — 5 5,757 9,694 — 83,395 2,134 21,837 — 209,520 148,743 107,366 225,060 255,016 72,438 — — — 966 2,470 — — — 5,485 77,923 54,019 900 12,632 2,597 70,148 71,366 13,709 — 1,321 86,396 48,850 252,001 8,343 108 789,523 280 95 1,299 50,524 24,873 17,851 18,972 — — — — — — 33,944 62,109 22,873 313,697 8,343 108 908,449 73,122 207,509 18,161 1,281 923,953 854 8,944 — 6,497 2,948 4,987 — — 99 — — — 22,026 14,362 11,892 82,920 221,941 18,260 1,281 972,233 Total 225,060 258,452 Non-owner occupied residential 28,476 18,527 16,928 15,695 18,048 — — — 28,476 — — 3,062 21,589 — 523 510 17,961 — 837 4,797 21,329 Commercial, industrial and other Pass Watch Special mention Substandard Total Construction Pass 100,921 23,940 65,225 11,636 939 — 101 101,961 461 — 7,352 31,753 446 — — 65,671 — — 1,276 12,912 108,585 84,993 40,847 30,125 Special mention — — — — Total 108,585 84,993 40,847 30,125 Equipment finance Pass Substandard Total Residential mortgage Pass Substandard Total Consumer Pass Substandard Total 50,482 30,486 — — 50,482 30,486 27,626 216 27,842 171,442 112,680 27,228 12 — — 171,454 112,680 27,228 35,283 10,476 32 — 35,315 10,476 5,358 — 5,358 10,238 177 10,415 20,784 123 20,907 4,561 — 4,561 651 1,205 988 20,892 3,808 1,378 1,896 496 7,578 23,578 10,446 34,024 3,128 56 3,184 9,103 694 9,797 3,260 — 3,260 51,194 5,057 284 2,512 59,047 7,288 — 515 — 7,803 — — — — — 156,156 5,708 3,364 11,869 177,097 37,479 191,293 872 435,174 173 443 422 5,056 1,365 5,428 38,517 203,142 3,654 — 3,654 803 — 803 96,510 134 96,644 — — — — — — — — — 24,888 190,481 630 526 25,518 191,007 — — — 872 — — — — — — — — — 34 — 34 8,453 3,704 15,075 462,406 291,782 10,446 302,228 122,763 449 123,212 437,747 963 438,710 274,341 1,188 275,529 Total loans $ 1,294,431 $1,216,192 $ 691,764 $ 469,450 $ 435,192 $1,419,344 $ 447,480 $ 2,295 $5,976,148 -65- The following table presents the risk category of loans by class of loan and vintage as of December 31, 2020. $ 2020 (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial 570,665 Pass 770 Watch 3,400 Special mention Substandard — 574,835 Total 116,512 11,347 — 434 128,293 Owner occupied commercial Pass Watch Special mention Substandard Total Multifamily Pass Watch Special mention Substandard Total 251,708 — 9,781 — 261,489 Non-owner occupied residential 23,506 Pass — Watch Special mention — 876 Substandard 24,382 Total Commercial, industrial and other 299,091 Pass 287 Watch Special mention — 7,177 Substandard 306,555 Total Construction Pass Watch Special mention Substandard Total Equipment finance Pass Substandard Total Residential mortgage Pass Substandard Total Consumer Pass Substandard Total Total loans 56,734 — — — 56,734 41,528 — 41,528 127,336 — 127,336 15,999 33 16,032 , $ 1,537,184 , Term Loans by Origination Year y g 2019 2018 2017 2016 Pre-2016 Revolving Loans Revolving to Term Total $ 376,681 638 3,131 — 380,450 $ 217,931 8,498 8,377 2,809 237,615 $ 251,751 5,936 9,115 15,903 282,705 $ 187,605 19,579 19,936 14,844 241,964 $ 509,573 47,680 7,894 60,703 625,850 $ 76,224 22,932 2,218 16 101,390 59,694 — — 5,481 65,175 24,378 300 496 512 25,686 84,917 3,701 — 50 88,668 77,117 — — — 77,117 41,717 98 41,815 43,910 52 43,962 80,244 411 929 3,038 84,622 85,748 600 — — 86,348 27,752 — 1,199 1,200 30,151 16,245 156 884 3,559 20,844 69,627 2,183 — — 71,810 20,697 88 20,785 34,252 233 34,485 81,215 3,651 113 641 85,620 93,368 — 2,399 — 95,767 24,344 1,174 392 1,295 27,205 7,216 1,643 764 1,547 11,170 29,303 11,959 8,321 206 49,789 8,834 74 8,908 17,548 1,015 18,563 62,118 8,038 4,317 5,770 80,243 117,155 — — 9,512 126,667 21,488 — 293 692 22,473 18,358 301 2,275 1,497 22,431 7,681 — — 719 8,400 3,162 64 3,226 245,330 23,612 38,638 27,376 334,956 145,786 8,472 1,124 684 156,066 53,200 5,757 656 1,713 61,326 41,900 369 — 729 42,998 328 — — 515 843 426 2 428 12,108 — 12,108 139,616 1,310 140,926 50,071 315 2,895 — 53,281 11,072 673 — 44 11,789 21,713 — — — 21,713 8,180 — 655 — 8,835 208,519 2,324 4,727 9,422 224,992 2,190 — — — 2,190 — — — — — — 9,844 57 9,901 , $ 834,164 7,490 31 7,521 , $ 594,181 5,333 2 5,335 , $ 585,062 4,632 — 4,632 , $ 522,144 -66- 224,549 263 224,812 , $1,397,462 $ 547,612 31,861 2,208 34,069 , , 2,246 — — — 2,246 $2,166,523 83,416 54,748 94,259 2,398,946 179 — — — 179 — — — — — 171 — — — 171 531 — — — 531 — — — — — — — — — — — 672,894 70,664 46,215 37,319 827,092 775,172 9,072 13,304 15,677 813,225 183,019 7,231 3,691 6,288 200,229 676,777 8,781 8,650 23,981 718,189 242,980 14,142 8,321 1,440 266,883 116,364 326 116,690 374,770 2,610 377,380 166 130 296 , 3,423 299,874 2,724 302,598 , , $6,021,232 $ Past Due and Non-accrual Loans Loans are considered past due if required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were contractually due. A loan is generally considered non-performing when it is placed on non-accrual status. A loan is generally placed on non-accrual status when it becomes 90 days past due if such loan has been identified as presenting uncertainty with respect to the collectability of interest and principal. A loan past due 90 days or more may remain on accruing status if such loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. In the absence of other intervening factors, loans granted payment deferrals related to COVID-19 are not reported as past due or placed on non-accrual status provided the borrowers have met the criteria in the CARES Act or otherwise have met the criteria included in an interagency statement issued by bank regulatory agencies. The following tables present the payment status of the recorded investment in past due loans as of the periods noted, by class of loans. December 31, 2021 (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total Past Due Current 30 - 59 Days 60 - 89 Days Greater than 89 days Total Total Loans $ 2,312,557 $ — $ 718 $ 3,009 $ 3,727 $ 2,316,284 905,751 972,233 174,245 461,659 302,228 122,923 437,574 20 — — 154 — 211 255 — — 136 — — 41 64 2,678 — 2,716 593 — 37 817 274,426 $ 5,963,596 $ 705 1,345 $ 135 1,094 $ 263 10,113 Current $ 2,384,233 $ 811,408 812,597 197,802 716,337 265,649 115,124 374,370 300,127 $ 5,977,647 $ 30-59 Days 1,256 2,759 208 482 125 — 1,338 1,046 1,041 8,255 Past Due 60-89 Days 306 $ 350 — 294 — — 98 156 73 1,277 $ Greater than 89 days $ $ 13,151 12,575 420 1,651 1,727 1,234 130 1,808 1,357 34,053 2,698 — 2,852 747 — 289 1,136 1,103 12,552 908,449 972,233 177,097 462,406 302,228 123,212 438,710 275,529 $ 5,976,148 Total 14,713 15,684 628 2,427 1,852 1,234 1,566 3,010 2,471 43,585 Total Loans $ 2,398,946 827,092 813,225 200,229 718,189 266,883 116,690 377,380 302,598 $ 6,021,232 $ $ $ -67- The following tables present information on non-accrual loans at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. December 31, 2021 (in thousands) Non-accrual Interest Income Recognized on Non-accrual Loans Amortized Cost Basis of Loans >= 90 days Past due but still accruing Amortized Cost Basis of Non-accrual Loans without Related Allowance Non-owner occupied commercial $ 3,009 $ — $ — $ Owner occupied commercial Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total $ $ $ 2,810 2,852 6,763 43 817 687 — — — — — — 16,981 $ — $ — — — — — 1 1 $ 2,624 2,398 2,567 1,122 — 694 — 9,405 Interest Income Recognized on Non-accrual Loans Amortized Cost Basis of Loans >= 90 days Past due but still accruing Non-accrual 16,537 14,271 626 2,217 2,633 1,440 327 2,469 2,243 42,763 $ $ — $ — — — — — — — — — $ Amortized Cost Basis of Non-accrual Loans without Related Allowance 14,719 12,371 — 1,580 1,418 1,234 — 1,015 — 32,337 — $ — — — — — — — 1 1 $ At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was one loan with a recorded investment of $1,000 that was past due more than 89 days and still accruing. The Company had $930,000 and $1.7 million in residential mortgages and consumer home equity loans included in total non-accrual loans that were in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. -68- Impaired Loans The following table presents, under previously applicable GAAP, loans individually evaluated for impairment by the portfolio segments existing at December 31, 2019. Recorded Investment in Impaired Loans Contractual Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Interest Income Recognized Average Investment in Impaired Loans $ $ $ 12,478 1,391 1,663 — 803 — 3,470 113 — 23 1,512 671 15,948 1,504 1,663 23 2,315 671 22,124 $ $ $ 12,630 1,381 1,661 — 815 — 3,706 113 — 23 1,682 765 16,336 1,494 1,661 23 2,497 765 22,776 $ $ $ — $ — — — — — 228 5 — 10 104 5 228 5 — 10 104 5 352 $ $ 164 16 2 — — — 190 6 — — 19 29 354 22 2 — 19 29 426 $ $ $ 10,386 1,334 82 — 233 — 4,554 113 — 21 926 693 14,940 1,447 82 21 1,159 693 18,342 (in thousands) Loans without related allowance: Commercial, secured by real estate Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Loans with related allowance: Commercial, secured by real estate Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total: Commercial, secured by real estate Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Troubled Debt Restructurings Loans are classified as troubled debt restructured loans ("TDR") in cases where borrowers experience financial difficulties and Lakeland makes certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms. Restructured loans typically involve a modification of terms such as a reduction of the stated interest rate, a moratorium of principal payments and/or an extension of the maturity date at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate of a new loan with similar risk. The CARES Act provided relief from TDR classification for certain loan modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic beginning March 1, 2020 through the earlier of 60 days after the end of the pandemic or December 31, 2020. Additionally, banking regulatory agencies issued interagency guidance that COVID-19 related short-term modifications (i.e., six months or less) granted to borrowers that were current as of the loan modification program implementation date do not need to be considered TDRs. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the "CAA"), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020, extended this guidance to modifications made until the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency. The Company elected this provision of the CARES Act and excluded modified loans that met the required guidelines for relief from its TDR classification. At December 31, 2021, no loans were on COVID-related deferrals as the remaining 90-day loan deferments expired and borrowers began paying their pre-deferral loan payments in the first quarter of 2021. For most commercial loans, borrowers are paying their pre-deferral loan payments plus an additional monthly amount to catch up on the payments that were deferred. None of these modifications were considered TDRs. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, TDRs totaled $3.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively. Accruing TDRs totaled $3.3 million and non-accrual TDRs totaled $127,000 at December 31, 2021. Accruing TDRs and non-accrual TDRs totaled $3.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020. There was one consumer loan totaling $115,000 that was restructured during 2021 that met the definition of a TDR, while no loans were restructured during 2020 that met the definition of a TDR. There were no restructured loans that subsequently defaulted in 2021; however, two consumer loans totaling $83,000 that were TDRs within the previous twelve months had subsequently defaulted in 2020. -69- Related Party Loans Lakeland has entered into lending transactions in the ordinary course of business with directors, executive officers, principal stockholders and affiliates of such persons on similar terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable transactions with other borrowers not related to Lakeland. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, loans to these related parties amounted to $64.0 million and $75.7 million, respectively. There were new loans of $5.0 million to related parties and repayments of $16.7 million from related parties in 2021. Mortgages Held for Sale Residential mortgages originated by the bank and held for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or fair market value. Fair value is generally determined by the value of purchase commitments on individual loans. Losses are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. As of December 31, 2021, Lakeland had $1.9 million in mortgages held for sale compared to $1.3 million as of December 31, 2020. Equipment Finance Receivables Future minimum payments of equipment finance receivables at December 31, 2021 are expected as follows: (in thousands) 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter $ $ 40,997 34,476 25,736 15,388 5,885 730 123,212 Other Real Estate and Other Repossessed Assets At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Lakeland had no other real estate owned and held no other repossessed assets. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Lakeland had no writedowns of other real estate owned and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 had writedowns of $39,000 and $153,000, respectively, recorded in other expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Note 6 - Allowance for Credit Losses The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures on December 31, 2020, effective January 1, 2020. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a description of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and the Company's allowance methodology. Under the standard, the Company's methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses on loans is based upon key assumptions, including the lookback periods, historic net charge-off factors, economic forecasts, reversion periods, prepayments and qualitative adjustments. The allowance is measured on a collective, or pool, basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Loans that do not share common risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collective evaluation. At December 31, 2021, loans totaling $5.95 billion were evaluated collectively and the allowance on these balances totaled $53.8 million and loans evaluated on an individual basis totaled $21.2 million with the specific allocations of the allowance for credit losses totaling $4.3 million. Federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review our loans and the corresponding allowance for credit losses. While we believe that our allowance for credit losses on loans in relation to our current loan portfolio is adequate to cover current and expected losses, we cannot assure you that we will not need to increase our allowance for credit losses on loans or that the regulators will not require us to increase this allowance. Future increases in our allowance for credit losses on loans could materially and adversely affect our earnings and profitability. -70- Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans The allowance for credit losses is summarized in the following table: (in thousands) Balance at beginning of the period Impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 Charge-offs Recoveries Net charge-offs Provision for credit loss - loans Balance at end of the period 2021 2020 $ 71,124 $ — (4,589) 2,427 (2,162) (10,915) $ 58,047 $ 40,003 6,656 (2,053) 541 (1,512) 25,977 71,124 Accrued interest receivable on loans, reported as a component of accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet, totaled $13.9 million and $16.1 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company made the election to exclude accrued interest receivable from the estimate of credit losses. The following table details activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2020 Charge-offs Recoveries (Benefit) Provision for Credit Loss - Loans Balance at December 31, 2021 Non-owner occupied commercial $ 25,910 $ (2,708) $ 462 $ (3,593) $ 20,071 Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total 3,955 7,253 3,321 13,665 786 6,552 3,623 6,059 (282) (28) (223) (401) (54) (346) (113) (434) 302 — 165 888 75 61 177 297 (11) 1,084 (883) (4,261) 31 (2,604) 227 (905) 3,964 8,309 2,380 9,891 838 3,663 3,914 5,017 $ 71,124 $ (4,589) $ 2,427 $ (10,915) $ 58,047 (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2019 (1) Impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 Charge-offs Recoveries (Benefit) Provision for Credit Loss - Loans Balance at December 31, 2020 Non owner occupied commercial $ — $ 17,027 $ (53) $ 29 $ 8,907 $ 25,910 Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non owner occupied residential Commercial, secured by real estate Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total — — — 3,080 3,717 2,801 28,950 (28,950) 3,289 2,672 957 1,725 2,410 2,850 (2,396) 2,481 1,217 4,829 (369) — — — (814) (77) (284) (116) (340) 21 — 22 — 207 100 65 21 76 1,223 3,536 498 — 8,133 487 3,333 776 (916) 3,955 7,253 3,321 — 13,665 786 6,552 3,623 6,059 $ 40,003 $ 6,656 $ (2,053) $ 541 $ 25,977 $ 71,124 (1) With the adoption of ASU 2016-13 in 2020, the Company expanded its portfolio segments. -71- The allowance for credit losses decreased to $58.0 million, 0.97% of total loans, at December 31, 2021, compared to $71.1 million, 1.18% of total loans, at December 31, 2020. The decrease from December 31, 2020, was primarily due to an improvement in forecasted macroeconomic conditions, a reduction in nonperforming assets and continued strength in asset quality. The change in the allowance within the loan segments during the two comparable periods is principally due to changes in the Company's level of loan growth and the impact of changes in various economic factors on particular segments. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 at December 31, 2020, and recorded an increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans of $6.7 million effective January 1, 2020. The following tables present the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and the related allowance for credit or loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: December 31, 2021 Loans Allowance for Credit Losses Individually evaluated Collectively evaluated Acquired with deteriorated credit quality $ 3,063 $ 2,313,047 $ 6,678 — 901,638 972,233 174 133 — 908,449 972,233 2,567 174,463 67 177,097 6,537 — — 1,416 — 455,306 302,228 123,212 437,294 275,529 563 — — — — 462,406 302,228 123,212 438,710 275,529 (in thousands) Non-owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non-owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total loans Total Individually evaluated Collectively evaluated Total $ 2,316,284 $ — $ 20,071 $ 20,071 69 — — 4,182 — — — — 3,895 8,309 2,380 5,709 838 3,663 3,914 5,017 3,964 8,309 2,380 9,891 838 3,663 3,914 5,017 $ 20,261 $ 5,954,950 $ 937 $ 5,976,148 $ 4,251 $ 53,796 $ 58,047 December 31, 2020 Loans Allowance for Credit Losses (in thousands) Non owner occupied commercial Owner occupied commercial Multifamily Non owner occupied residential Commercial, industrial and other Construction Equipment finance Residential mortgage Consumer Total loans Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment Acquired with deteriorated credit quality Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment Total Total $ 12,112 $ 2,382,717 $ 4,117 $ 2,398,946 $ 355 $ 25,555 $ 25,910 16,547 — 809,935 813,225 1,459 198,334 1,596 515 — 1,490 — 715,129 265,649 116,690 375,482 302,099 610 — 436 1,464 719 — 408 499 827,092 813,225 200,229 718,189 266,883 116,690 377,380 302,598 96 — 43 3,859 7,253 3,278 3,955 7,253 3,321 830 12,835 13,665 — — — 31 786 6,552 3,623 6,028 786 6,552 3,623 6,059 $ 33,719 $ 5,979,260 $ 8,253 $ 6,021,232 $ 1,355 $ 69,769 $ 71,124 -72- Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities At December 31, 2021, the balance of the allowance for credit loss on available for sale and held to maturity securities was $83,000 and $181,000, respectively. At December 31, 2020, the Company reported an allowance for credit losses on available for sale securities of $2,000 and no allowance for credit losses on held to maturity securities. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $84,000 and $178,000 on securities available for sale and held to maturity, respectively, in the provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company, recorded a provision of $2,000 on securities available for sale and a benefit of $30,000 on securities held to maturity. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 at December 31, 2020, and recorded an increase in the allowance for credit losses on held to maturity securities of $30,000 effective January 1, 2020. Prior year disclosures have not been restated. Accrued interest receivable on securities is reported as a component of accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheet and totaled $5.3 million and $3.3 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company made the election to exclude accrued interest receivable from the estimate of credit losses on securities. Allowance for Credit Losses - Off-Balance-Sheet Exposures The allowance for credit losses on off-balance-sheet exposures is reported in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liability represents an estimate of expected credit losses arising from off balance sheet exposures such as letters of credit, guarantees and unfunded loan commitments. The process for measuring lifetime expected credit losses on these exposures is consistent with that for loans as discussed above, but is subject to an additional estimate reflecting the likelihood that funding will occur. No liability is recognized for off balance sheet credit exposures that are unconditionally cancellable by the Company. Adjustments to the liability are reported as a component of credit loss expense. At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the balance of the allowance for credit losses for off-balance-sheet exposures was $2.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively. The Company recorded a benefit for credit losses on off-balance- sheet exposures in other noninterest expense of $243,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and a provision for unfunded lending commitments in other noninterest expense of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 at December 31, 2020, and recorded a decrease in the allowance for credit losses for off-balance-sheet exposures of $498,000 effective January 1, 2020. Prior year disclosures have not been restated. Note 7 - Premises and Equipment (in thousands) Land Buildings and building improvements Leasehold improvements Furniture, fixtures and equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Estimated Useful Lives December 31, 2021 2020 Indefinite $ 10 to 50 years 10 to 25 years 2 to 30 years $ 9,444 42,115 13,976 32,569 98,104 52,188 45,916 $ $ 9,926 44,312 14,017 35,046 103,301 54,806 48,495 Depreciation expense was $6.8 million, $6.5 million and $5.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Note 8 – Leases The Company leases certain premises and equipment under operating leases. Portions of certain properties are subleased for terms extending through 2027. At December 31, 2021, the Company had lease liabilities totaling $16.5 million and right-of-use assets totaling $15.2 million related to these leases. At December 31, 2020, the Company had lease liabilities totaling $18.2 million and right-of-use assets totaling $16.8 million. The calculated amount of the right-of-use asset and lease liabilities are impacted by the length of the lease term and the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments. The Company's lease agreements often include one or more options to renew at the Company's discretion. If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will include the extended term in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term. -73- For the year ended December 31, 2021, the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases was 9.16 years and the weighted average discount rate used in the measurement of operating lease liabilities was 3.41%. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases was 9.69 years and the weighted average discount rate used in the measurement of operating lease liabilities was 3.41%. As the Company elected not to separate lease and non-lease components and instead to account for them as a single lease component, the variable lease cost primarily represents variable payments such as common area maintenance and utilities. Lease costs were as follows: (in thousands) Operating lease cost Variable lease cost Sublease income Net lease cost 2021 2020 2019 $ $ 3,154 $ 3,312 $ 67 (121) 90 (122) 3,100 $ 3,280 $ 3,293 133 (122) 3,304 The table below presents other information on the Company's operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: (in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 2021 2020 2019 Operating cash flows from operating leases Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 2,757 $ 717 $ 2,790 1,159 2,654 1,748 There were no sale and leaseback transactions, leveraged leases or lease transactions with related parties during the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had no leases that had not yet commenced. A maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities and reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to the total operating lease liability at December 31, 2021 is as follows: (in thousands) Within one year After one year but within three years After three years but within five years After 5 years Total undiscounted cash flows Discount on cash flows Total lease liability $ $ 3,077 5,467 4,033 7,018 19,595 (3,072) 16,523 Note 9 - Deposits The following table sets forth the details of total deposits: (dollars in thousands) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Noninterest-bearing demand Interest-bearing checking Money market Savings Certificates of deposit $250 thousand and under Certificates of deposit over $250 thousand $ 1,732,452 2,219,658 1,577,385 677,101 623,393 135,834 24.9 % $ 31.9 % 22.6 % 9.7 % 8.9 % 2.0 % 1,510,224 2,057,052 1,225,890 584,361 895,056 183,200 23.4 % 31.9 % 19.0 % 9.1 % 13.8 % 2.8 % Total deposits $ 6,965,823 100.0 % $ 6,455,783 100.0 % -74- At December 31, 2021, the schedule of maturities of certificates of deposit is as follows: (in thousands) 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Total $ $ 653,645 74,095 13,750 17,459 278 759,227 At December 31, 2021 and 2020, certificates of deposit obtained through brokers totaled $114.3 million and $236.7 million, respectively. Interest expense on deposits is as follows: (in thousands) Checking accounts Money market accounts Savings Certificates of deposit Total Note 10 - Debt Overnight and Short-Term Borrowings 2021 2020 2019 4,591 $ 9,095 $ 6,226 334 5,642 8,301 325 14,338 16,793 $ 32,059 $ 18,023 13,134 335 17,756 49,248 $ $ At December 31, 2021, there were no overnight and short-term borrowings from FHLB and at December 31, 2020, overnight and short-term borrowings totaled $100.0 million. In addition, Lakeland had no overnight and short-term borrowings from correspondent banks at December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2021, Lakeland had overnight and short-term federal funds lines available to borrow up to $215.0 million from correspondent banks. Lakeland may also borrow from the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on the market value of collateral pledged. Lakeland had no borrowings with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. Other short-term borrowings at December 31, 2021 and 2020 consisted of short-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $106.5 million and $69.6 million, respectively. Securities underlying the agreements were under Lakeland’s control. At December 31, 2021, the Company had $46.2 million in mortgage-backed securities, $46.7 million in collateralized mortgage obligations, $23.2 million in agency securities and $5.0 million in U.S. treasury notes pledged for its short-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase. FHLB Advances Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") totaled $25.0 million at both December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.77% and maturity in 2025. The advance was collateralized by first mortgage loans and have prepayment penalties. There were no FHLB advance prepayments in 2021, however in 2020, the Company repaid an aggregate of $114.9 million in advances from the FHLB and recorded $4.1 million in long-term debt prepayment fees. Subordinated Debentures On September 15, 2021, the Company completed an offering of $150.0 million of fixed to floating rate subordinated notes due on September 15, 2031. The notes bear interest at a rate of 2.875% per annum until September 15, 2026, and will then reset quarterly to the then current Benchmark rate, which is expected to be the three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus a spread of 220 basis points. The debt is included in Tier 2 capital for the Company. Debt issuance costs totaled $2.3 million and are being amortized to maturity. Subordinated debt is presented net of issuance costs on the consolidated balance sheets. On January 4, 2019, the Company acquired subordinated notes in connection with the Highlands acquisition. Highlands issued $5.0 million of fixed rate notes in May 2014 bearing an interest rate of 8.00% per annum until maturity on May 16, 2024. In October 2015, Highlands issued $7.5 million of fixed rate notes bearing an interest rate of 6.94% until maturity on October 1, 2025. The Company redeemed both issuances in 2021. -75- On September 30, 2016, the Company completed an offering of $75.0 million of fixed to floating rate subordinated notes due September 30, 2026. The notes paid interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum until September 30, 2021 when they were to reset quarterly to the then current three-month LIBOR plus 397 basis points until maturity in September 30, 2026 or their earlier redemption. The debt was included in Tier 2 capital for the Company. Debt issuance costs totaled $1.5 million and were being amortized to maturity. On September 30, 2021, the Company redeemed this issuance which resulted in an acceleration of unamortized debt issuance costs of $831,000. In May 2007, the Company issued $20.6 million of junior subordinated debentures due August 31, 2037 to Lakeland Bancorp Capital Trust IV, a Delaware business trust. The distribution rate on these securities was 6.61% for 5 years and floats at LIBOR plus 152 basis points thereafter. The debentures are the sole asset of the Trust. The Trust issued 20,000 shares of trust preferred securities, $1,000 face value, for total proceeds of $20.0 million. The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of the Trust’s obligations under the preferred securities. The preferred securities are callable by the Company on or after August 1, 2012, or earlier if the deduction of related interest for federal income taxes is prohibited, treatment as Tier I capital is no longer permitted, or certain other contingencies arise. The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2037. On August 3, 2015, the Company acquired and extinguished $10.0 million of Lakeland Bancorp Capital Trust IV debentures and recorded a $1.8 million gain on the extinguishment of debt. In June 2003, the Company issued $20.6 million of junior subordinated debentures due June 30, 2033 to Lakeland Bancorp Capital Trust II, a Delaware business trust. The distribution rate on these securities was 5.71% for 5 years and floats at LIBOR plus 310 basis points thereafter. The debentures are the sole asset of the Trust. The Trust issued 20,000 shares of trust preferred securities, $1,000 face value, for total proceeds of $20.0 million. The Company’s obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of the Trust’s obligations under the preferred securities. The preferred securities are callable by the Company on or after June 30, 2008, or earlier if the deduction of related interest for federal income taxes is prohibited, treatment as Tier I capital is no longer permitted, or certain other contingencies arise. The preferred securities must be redeemed upon maturity of the debentures in 2033. In June 2016, the Company entered into two five-year cash flow swaps totaling $30.0 million in order to hedge the variable cash outflows associated with the junior subordinated debentures issued to Lakeland Bancorp Capital Trust II and Lakeland Bancorp Capital Trust IV. Both of these swaps matured in 2021. For more information please see Note 20 – Derivatives. Note 11 - Stockholders’ Equity On October 22, 2019, the Board of Directors of Lakeland approved a share repurchase program whereby the Company may repurchase up to 2,524,458 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of its outstanding shares of common stock at September 30, 2019. The Company had 50,489,161 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2019. Repurchases may be made from time to time through a combination of open market and privately negotiated repurchases. The specific timing, price and quantity of repurchases will be at the discretion of the Company and will depend on a variety of factors, including general market conditions, the trading price of the common stock, legal and contractual requirements and the Company's financial performance. Open market purchases may be conducted in accordance with the limitations of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Repurchases may be made pursuant to trading plans adopted in accordance with SEC Rule 10b5-1, which would permit common stock to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular number of shares and may be terminated at any time without notice, in the Company’s discretion. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had repurchased 131,035 shares. Note 12 - Income Taxes The components of income taxes are as follows: (in thousands) Current tax provision Deferred tax (benefit) expense Total provision for income taxes Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ $ 26,872 5,422 32,294 $ $ 24,022 (6,763) 17,259 $ $ 20,418 2,854 23,272 -76- The income tax provision reconciled to the income taxes that would have been computed at the statutory federal rate of 21% as follows: (in thousands) Federal income tax, at statutory rates Increase (deduction) in taxes resulting from: Tax-exempt income State income tax, net of federal income tax effect Excess tax expense (benefits) from employee share-based payments Other, net Provision for income taxes $ The net deferred tax asset consisted of the following: (in thousands) Deferred tax assets: Allowance for credit losses Stock based compensation plans Purchase accounting fair market value adjustments Non-accrued interest Deferred compensation Loss on equity securities Federal net operating loss carryforward Unrealized loss on pension plans Unrealized loss on derivatives Other, net Gross deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: Core deposit intangible from acquired companies Undistributed income from subsidiary not consolidated for tax return purposes (REIT) Deferred loan costs Depreciation and amortization Prepaid expenses Unrealized gain on investment securities Other Gross deferred tax liabilities Net deferred tax assets Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ 26,740 $ 15,703 $ 19,728 (1,114) 6,176 89 403 32,294 $ (961) 2,178 132 207 17,259 $ (952) 4,322 (189) 363 23,272 December 31, 2021 2020 $ $ 17,837 1,446 1,487 504 2,796 136 303 — — 514 25,023 705 903 2,150 1,660 824 1,228 235 7,705 17,318 $ $ 21,300 985 2,174 664 2,570 50 875 13 42 508 29,181 852 852 1,822 793 578 4,746 260 9,903 19,278 Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13 in 2020, the Company recorded a net deferred tax asset of $1.4 million. The Company evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets by examining its earnings history and projected future earnings and by assessing whether it is more likely than not that carryforwards would not be realized. Based upon the majority of the Company’s deferred tax assets having no expiration date, the Company’s earnings history, and the projections of future earnings, the Company’s management believes that it is more likely than not that all of the Company’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021 will be realized. The Company evaluates tax positions that may be uncertain using a recognition threshold of more likely than not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, in order for those tax positions to be recognized in the financial statements. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits or related interest or penalties at December 31, 2021 or 2020. -77- The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax law as well as income tax of various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few significant exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2018 or to state and local examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2018. Note 13 - Benefit Plans 401(k plan The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees providing they meet eligibility requirements. The Company matches 50% of the first 6% contributed by the participants to the 401(k) plan. The Company’s contributions in 2021, 2020 and 2019 totaled $1.6 million, $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans In 2003, the Company entered into a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) agreement with its former Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") that provides annual retirement benefits of $150,000 a year for 15 years when the former CEO reached the age of 65. The former CEO retired and is receiving annual retirement benefits pursuant to the plan. In 2008, the Company entered into a SERP agreement with its current CEO that provides annual retirement benefits of $150,000 for 15 years when the CEO reaches the age of 65. Also in 2008, the Company entered into a SERP with a former Regional President that provides annual retirement benefits of $90,000 a year for ten years upon his reaching the age of 65. In 2016, the Company entered into a SERP with a former Regional President that provides $84,500 a year for 15 years upon his reaching the age of 66. Both former Regional Presidents are receiving the annual retirement benefits pursuant to the plans. Somerset Hills Bank, acquired by the Company in 2013, entered into a SERP with its former CEO and its Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") which entitles them to a benefit of $48,000 and $24,000, respectively, per year for 15 years after the earlier of retirement or death. The former CEO and the beneficiary of the CFO are currently being paid out under the plan. The Company intends to fund its obligations under the deferred compensation arrangements with the increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance policies. In 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded compensation expense of $163,000, $411,000 and $430,000, respectively, for these plans. The accrued liability for these plans was $3.8 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Deferred Compensation Agreement In 2015, the Company entered into a Deferred Compensation Agreement with its CEO where it would contribute $16,500 monthly into a deferral account which would earn interest at an annual rate of the Company’s prior year return on equity, provided that the Company’s return on equity remained in a range of 0% to 15%. The Company has agreed to make such contributions each month that the CEO is actively employed from February 2015 through December 31, 2022. The expense incurred in 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $331,000, $339,000 and $311,000, respectively, and the accrued liability at December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Following the CEO’s normal retirement date, he shall be paid out in 180 consecutive monthly installments. Elective Deferral Plan In 2015, the Company established an Elective Deferral Plan for eligible executives in which the executive may elect to contribute a portion of their base salaries and bonuses to a deferral account that will earn an interest rate of 75% of the Company’s prior year return on equity provided that the return on equity remains in the range of 0% to 15%. The Company recorded an expense of $183,000, $162,000 and $136,000 in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and had a liability recorded of $3.2 million and $2.6 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Directors Retirement Plan The Company maintains an Amended and Restated Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, which applies to directors appointed to the Company's Board of Directors prior to January 1, 2009. The non-qualified, defined benefit plan provides participants, who after completing five years of service, may retire and receive benefit payments ranging from $5,000 through $17,500 per annum, depending upon years of credited service, for a period of ten years. The plan is unfunded and holds no assets. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the directors' deferred compensation plan had a recorded liability of $647,000 and $655,000, respectively. The was no balance recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for pension items at December 31, 2021, while a net actuarial loss of $30,000 was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2020. This amount was not recognized as a component of net postretirement benefit cost in 2020. -78- The net periodic plan cost included the following components: (in thousands) Service cost Interest cost Amortization of gain Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ $ 22 16 — 38 $ $ 18 17 — 35 $ $ 14 22 (2) 34 A discount rate of 2.49%, 2.21% and 2.89% was assumed in the plan valuation for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As the benefit amount is not dependent upon compensation levels, a rate of increase in compensation assumption was not utilized in the plan valuation. The Company expects its contribution to the directors' retirement plan to be $38,000 in 2022. The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years and in aggregate for the five years thereafter are as follows: (in thousands) 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027-2031 $ 38 38 38 37 27 200 Note 14 - Stock-Based Compensation The Company's 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") authorizes the granting of incentive stock options, supplemental stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), other stock-based awards and cash-based awards to officers, employees and non-employee directors of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company and its subsidiaries. The Plan authorized the issuance of up to 2.0 million shares of Company common stock. Restricted Stock The following is a summary of the Company's restricted stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2021: Outstanding, beginning of year Granted Vested Outstanding, end of year Number of Shares Weighted Average Price 23,910 $ 16,028 (23,903) 16,035 $ 14.77 13.72 14.78 13.72 In 2021, the Company granted 16,028 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors at a grant date fair value of $13.72 per share under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The restricted stock vests one year from the date it was granted. Compensation expense on this restricted stock is expected to be $220,000 over a one year period. In 2020, the Company granted 23,852 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors at a grant date fair value of $14.78 per share under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. These shares vested over a one year period and totaled $353,000 in compensation expense. In 2019, the Company granted 13,052 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors at a grant date fair value of $15.96 per share under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. These shares vested over a one year period and totaled $208,000 in compensation expense. The total fair value of the restricted stock vested during the year ended December 31, 2021 was approximately $353,000. Compensation expense recognized for restricted stock was $330,000, $242,000 and $212,000 in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock grants as of December 31, 2021. -79- Restricted Stock Units The following is a summary of the Company's RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2021: Outstanding, beginning of year Granted Vested Forfeited Outstanding, end of year Number of RSUs Weighted Average Price $ 372,552 376,966 (146,133) (12,043) 591,342 $ 16.63 17.21 18.19 15.21 16.64 In 2021, the Company granted 376,966 RSUs at a weighted average grant date fair value of $17.21 per share under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The RSUs vest within a range of two to three years. A portion of these RSUs will vest subject to certain performance conditions in the restricted stock unit agreements. There are also certain provisions in the compensation program which state that if a holder of the RSUs reaches a certain age and years of service, the person has effectively earned a portion of the RSUs at that time. Compensation expense on the RSUs granted in 2021 is expected to average approximately $2.2 million per year over a three year period. In 2020, the Company granted 176,869 RSUs at a weighted average grant date fair value of $15.34 per share under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. These RSUs vest within a range of two to three years, with compensation expense expected to average approximately $904,000 per year over a three year period. In 2019, the Company granted 149,559 RSUs at a weighted average grant date fair value of $16.54 per share under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. Compensation expense on these RSUs was expected to average $825,000 per year over a three year period. Compensation expense for restricted stock units totaled $3.7 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There was approximately $5.1 million in unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs as of December 31, 2021, which is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.06 years. Stock Options The following is a summary of the Company's stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2021: Outstanding, beginning of year Exercised Outstanding, end of year Options exercisable at year-end Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price 2,764 $ (2,764) — $ — $ 6.94 6.94 — — Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value 1.07 $ 15,934 0.00 $ 0.00 $ — — The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, which is the difference between the Company's closing stock price on the last trading day of the period and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options. There were no stock option grants during 2021 or 2020. The 2,764 stock options exercised during 2021 had an intrinsic value of $27,000 and resulted in $19,000 in cash receipts. No stock options were exercised during 2020. As of December 31, 2021, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options and there was no compensation expense recognized for stock options for 2021, 2020 and 2019. Excess tax deficiencies on stock based compensation was $89,000 for 2021 and $132,000 for 2020, while excess tax benefits of stock based compensation totaled $189,000 for the year 2019. Note 15 - Revenue Recognition The Company’s primary source of revenue is interest income generated from loans and investment securities. Interest income is recognized according to the terms of the financial instrument agreement over the life of the loan or investment security unless it is determined that the counterparty is unable to continue making interest payments. Interest income also includes prepaid interest fees from commercial customers, which approximates the interest foregone on the balance of the loan prepaid. -80- The Company’s additional source of income, also referred to as noninterest income, is generated from deposit related fees, interchange fees, loan fees, merchant fees, loan sales and other miscellaneous income and is largely based on contracts with customers. In these cases, the Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. The Company considers a customer to be any party to which the Company will provide goods or services that are an output of the Company’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration. There is little seasonality with regards to revenue from contracts with customers and all inter-company revenue is eliminated when the Company’s financial statements are consolidated. Generally, the Company enters into contracts with customers that are short-term in nature where the performance obligations are fulfilled and payment is processed at the same time. Such examples include revenue related to merchant fees, interchange fees and investment services income. In addition, revenue generated from existing customer relationships such as deposit accounts are also considered short-term in nature, because the relationship may be terminated at any time and payment is processed at the time performance obligations are fulfilled. As a result, the Company does not have contract assets, contract liabilities or related receivable accounts for contracts with customers. In cases where collectability is a concern, the Company does not record revenue. Generally, the pricing of transactions between the Company and each customer is either (i) established within a legally enforceable contract between the two parties, as is the case with the loan sales, or (ii) disclosed to the customer at a specific point in time, as is the case when a deposit account is opened or before a new loan is underwritten. Fees are usually fixed at a specific amount or as a percentage of a transaction amount. No judgment or estimates by management are required to record revenue related to these transactions and pricing is clearly identified within these contracts. The Company primarily operates in one geographic region, northern and central New Jersey, metropolitan New York and contiguous areas. Therefore, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of the Company as one operating segment or unit. We disaggregate our revenue from contracts with customers by contract-type and timing of revenue recognition, as we believe it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Noninterest income not generated from customers during the Company’s ordinary activities primarily relates to mortgage servicing rights, gains/losses on the sale of investment securities, gains/losses on the sale of other real estate owned, gains/losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment, and income from bank owned life insurance. -81- The following table sets forth the components of noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019: (in thousands) Deposit-Related Fees and Charges Debit card interchange income Overdraft charges ATM service charges Demand deposit fees and charges Savings service charges Total deposit-related fees and charges Commissions and Fees Loan fees Wire transfer charges Investment services income Merchant fees Commissions from sales of checks Safe deposit income Other income Total commissions and fees Gains on Sale of Loans Other Income Gains on customer swap transactions Title insurance income Other income Total other income Revenue not from contracts with customers Total Noninterest Income Timing of Revenue Recognition Products and services transferred at a point in time Products and services transferred over time Revenue not from contracts with customers Total Noninterest Income Note 16 - Other Operating Expenses 2021 2020 2019 6,213 2,476 660 446 61 9,856 1,858 1,533 1,837 984 301 320 189 7,022 2,264 634 109 404 1,147 2,072 22,361 20,266 23 2,072 22,361 $ $ $ $ 5,431 2,582 522 540 73 9,148 1,227 1,412 1,630 833 292 345 181 5,920 3,322 4,719 177 438 5,334 3,386 27,110 23,649 75 3,386 27,110 $ $ $ $ 5,719 4,052 826 501 107 11,205 1,510 1,223 1,651 813 407 364 250 6,218 1,660 3,231 183 1,463 4,877 2,836 26,796 23,885 75 2,836 26,796 $ $ $ $ The following table presents the major components of other operating expenses for the periods indicated: (in thousands) Consulting and advisory board fees ATM and debit card expense Telecommunications expense Marketing expense Core deposit intangible amortization Other real estate owned and other repossessed assets expense Long-term debt prepayment penalties Long-term debt extinguishment costs Other operating expenses Total other operating expenses $ $ 2021 2020 2019 2,856 2,528 2,099 1,642 868 — — 831 12,994 23,818 $ $ 3,937 2,331 1,875 1,253 1,025 53 4,133 — 12,763 27,370 $ $ 2,635 2,377 1,943 1,945 1,182 256 — — 12,839 23,177 -82- Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies Litigation There are no pending legal proceedings involving the Company or Lakeland other than those arising in the normal course of business. Management does not anticipate that the potential liability, if any, arising out of such legal proceedings will have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and Lakeland on a consolidated basis. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company is a party to transactions with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers and consists of commitments to extend credit. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract and generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Lakeland evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by Lakeland upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, Lakeland had $1.14 billion and $1.11 billion, respectively, in commitments to originate loans, including unused lines of credit. Lakeland issues financial standby letters of credit and performance letters of credit that are conditional commitments issued by Lakeland to guarantee the payment by or performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Lakeland holds deposit accounts, residential or commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment as collateral to support those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary. The extent of collateral held for those commitments varies based on management’s credit evaluation. Lakeland’s exposure under these letters of credit would be reduced by actual performance, subsequent termination by the beneficiaries and by any proceeds that Lakeland obtained in liquidating the collateral for the loans, which varies depending on the customer. The maximum potential undiscounted amount of future payments of these letters of credit as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $19.5 million and $14.8 million, respectively, and they expire through 2024. The fair value of Lakeland's liability for financial standby letters of credit was insignificant at December 31, 2021. At December 31, 2021, there were $39,000 of commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings. There were no such commitments to lend additional funds at December 31, 2020. Note 18 - Comprehensive Income (Loss) The Company reports comprehensive income or loss in addition to net income from operations. Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of certain financial information that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income. The following table shows the changes in the balances of each of the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented. (in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2021 Tax Benefit (Expense) Before Tax Amount Net of Tax Amount Unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale arising during the period Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale Net gain on securities reclassified from available for sale to held to maturity Amortization of gain on debt securities reclassified to held to maturity from available for sale Unrealized gains on derivatives Change in pension liability, net Other comprehensive loss $ (15,117) $ 4,466 $ (10,651) (9) (15,126) 3 4,469 3,814 (1,030) (383) 143 43 (11,509) $ 118 (168) (13) 3,376 $ $ (6) (10,657) 2,784 (265) (25) 30 (8,133) -83- (in thousands) Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale arising during the period Reclassification adjustment for securities gains included in net income Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale arising during the period Unrealized losses on derivatives Change in pension liability, net Other comprehensive income (in thousands) Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale arising during the period Unrealized losses on derivatives Change in pension liability, net Other comprehensive income Before Tax Amount Year Ended December 31, 2020 Tax Benefit (Expense) Net of Tax Amount $ 14,049 $ (3,711) $ 10,338 (1,213) 12,836 (413) (36) 12,387 $ 341 (3,370) 121 11 (3,238) $ (872) 9,466 (292) (25) 9,149 Before Tax Amount Year Ended December 31, 2019 Tax Benefit (Expense) Net of Tax Amount 14,763 (828) (64) 13,871 $ (4,045) 242 18 (3,785) $ 10,718 (586) (46) 10,086 $ $ (in thousands) Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available- for-Sale Securities Amortization of Gain on Debt Securities Reclassified to Held to Maturity Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Pension Items Total Balance at January 1, 2019 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) Balance at December 31, 2019 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) Balance at December 31, 2020 Net unrealized gain on securities reclassified from available for sale to held to maturity Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income Balance at December 31, 2021 $ $ $ $ (8,782) $ — $ 903 $ 41 $ (7,838) 10,718 1,936 $ 10,338 (872) 9,466 11,402 $ (2,784) (7,867) (6) — — $ (586) 317 $ (46) (5) $ 10,086 2,248 — — (292) (25) 10,021 — — (872) — — $ (292) 25 $ (25) (30) $ 9,149 11,397 2,784 (265) — — (25) — — 30 — — (8,127) (6) (7,873) 745 $ (265) 2,519 $ (25) — $ 30 — $ (8,133) 3,264 -84- Note 19 - Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurement Accounting standards related to fair value measurements define fair value, provide a framework for measuring fair value and establish related disclosure requirements. Fair value is broadly defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for an asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels giving the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest level priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of fair value hierarchy are as follows: Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; includes U.S. treasury notes and other U.S. government agency securities that actively trade in over-the-counter markets; equity securities and mutual funds that actively trade in over-the-counter markets. Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are less active; or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability including yield curves, volatilities, and prepayment speeds. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about assumptions that market participants would use in the pricing of the asset or liability and that are consequently not based on market activity but on particular valuation techniques. The Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are its investment securities available for sale, equity securities and its interest rate swaps. The Company obtains fair values on its securities using information from a third party servicer. If quoted prices for securities are available in an active market, those securities are classified as Level 1 securities. The Company has U.S. treasury notes that are classified as Level 1 securities. Level 2 securities were primarily comprised of U.S. agency bonds, residential mortgage-backed securities, obligations of state and political subdivisions and corporate securities. Fair values were estimated primarily by obtaining quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or through the use of pricing models supported with market data information. Standard inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, bids and offers. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews the pricing information received from the Company’s third party pricing service. This review includes a comparison to non-binding third-party quotes. The fair values of derivatives are based on valuation models using current market terms (including interest rates and fees), the remaining terms of the agreements and the credit worthiness of the counter-party as of the measurement date (Level 2). Recurring Fair Value Measurements The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of the periods presented by level within the fair value hierarchy. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not make any transfers between recurring Level 1 fair value measurements and recurring Level 2 fair value measurements. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement: -85- December 31, 2021 (in thousands) Assets: Investment securities, available for sale U.S. Treasury and government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Collateralized mortgage obligations, multifamily Asset-backed securities Corporate debt securities Total securities available for sale Equity securities, at fair value Derivative assets Total Assets Liabilities: Derivative liabilities Total Liabilities December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Assets: Investment securities, available for sale U.S. Treasury and government agencies Mortgage-backed securities Collateralized mortgage obligations Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Collateralized mortgage obligations, multifamily Asset-backed securities Obligations of states and political subdivisions Corporate debt securities Total securities available for sale Equity securities, at fair value Derivative assets Total Assets Liabilities: Derivative liabilities Total Liabilities Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Fair Value $ $ $ $ 104,861 — — — — — — 104,861 — — 104,861 $ $ — $ — $ 98,526 237,975 191,291 1,741 32,519 52,584 50,459 665,095 17,368 43,799 726,262 43,799 43,799 $ $ $ $ — $ — — — — — — — — — — $ — $ — $ 203,387 237,975 191,291 1,741 32,519 52,584 50,459 769,956 17,368 43,799 831,123 43,799 43,799 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Fair Value $ $ $ $ 9,392 — — — — — — — 9,392 — — 9,392 $ $ — $ — $ 55,610 228,156 209,038 1,944 41,535 40,690 233,710 35,671 846,354 14,694 80,734 941,782 80,877 80,877 $ $ $ $ — $ — — — — — — — — — — — $ — $ — $ 65,002 228,156 209,038 1,944 41,535 40,690 233,710 35,671 855,746 14,694 80,734 951,174 80,877 80,877 -86- Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements The Company has a held for sale loan portfolio that consists of residential mortgages that are being sold in the secondary market. The Company records these mortgages at the lower of cost or fair market value. Fair value is generally determined by the value of purchase commitments. Loans that do not have similar risk characteristics to the segments reported must be individually evaluated to determine an appropriate allowance. Management has identified criteria and procedures for identifying whether a loan should be individually evaluated for calculation of expected credit losses. If a loan is identified as meeting any of the criteria, it is deemed to have risk characteristics that are unique and will be separated from a pool. Those loans that are considered to have unique risk characteristics are then subjected to an individual allowance evaluation using either the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if collateral-dependent or the discounted cash flow method. Other real estate owned (OREO) and other repossessed assets, representing property acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, are carried at fair value less estimated disposal costs of the acquired property. Fair value on other real estate owned is based on the appraised value of the collateral using discount rates or capitalization rates similar to those used in impaired loan valuation. The fair value of other repossessed assets is estimated by inquiry through a recognized valuation resource. Changes in the assumptions or methodologies used to estimate fair values may materially affect the estimated amounts. Changes in economic conditions, locally or nationally, could impact the value of the estimated amounts of impaired loans, OREO and other repossessed assets. The following table summarized the Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement: December 31, 2021 (in thousands) Assets: Individually evaluated loans December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Assets: Individually evaluated loans (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Total Fair Value — $ — $ 7,113 $ 7,113 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Total Fair Value — $ — $ 2,417 $ 2,417 $ $ Fair Value of Certain Financial Instruments Estimated fair values have been determined by the Company using the best available data and an estimation methodology suitable for each category of financial instruments. Management is concerned that there may not be reasonable comparability between institutions due to the wide range of permitted assumptions and methodologies in the absence of active markets. This lack of uniformity gives rise to a high degree of subjectivity in estimating financial instrument fair values. The estimation methodologies used, the estimated fair values, and recorded book balances at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are outlined below. This summary, as well as the table below, excludes financial assets and liabilities for which carrying value approximates fair value. For financial assets, these include cash and cash equivalents. For financial liabilities, these include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts and federal funds sold and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The estimated fair value of demand, savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Carrying value is used because there is no stated maturity on these accounts and the customer has the ability to withdraw the funds immediately. Also excluded from this summary and the following table are those financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as previously described. The fair value of investment securities held to maturity was measured using information from the same third-party servicer used for investment securities available for sale using the same methodologies discussed above. FHLB stock is an equity interest that can be sold to the issuing FHLB, to other FHLBs, or to other member banks at its par value. Because ownership of these securities is restricted, they do not have a readily determinable fair value. As such, the Company’s FHLB stock is recorded at cost or par value and is evaluated for impairment each reporting period by considering the ultimate recoverability of the investment rather than temporary declines in value. The Company’s evaluation primarily includes an evaluation of liquidity, capitalization, operating performance, commitments, and regulatory or legislative events. -87- The net loan portfolio is valued using an exit price approach, which incorporates a build-up discount rate calculation that uses a swap rate adjusted for credit risk, servicing costs, a liquidity premium and a prepayment premium. For fixed maturity certificates of deposit, fair value was estimated based on the present value of discounted cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value. The fair value of long-term debt is based upon the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The Company estimates the discount rate using the rates currently offered for similar borrowing arrangements. The fair value of subordinated debentures is based on bid/ask prices from brokers for similar types of instruments. The fair values of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value of guarantees and letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. The fair values of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are deemed immaterial. The following table summarized the carrying values, fair values and placement in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: Carrying Value Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) $ 18,672 370,247 $ 18,965 364,976 $ — $ — 18,965 364,976 $ December 31, 2021 (in thousands) Financial Assets: Investment securities held to maturity U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Collateralized mortgage obligations, multifamily Obligations of states and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Total investment securities held to maturity, net Federal Home Loan and other membership bank stock Loans, net Financial Liabilities: Certificates of deposit Other borrowings Subordinated debentures — — — — — 832 — 832 14,089 2,734 — 410,744 2,871 814,379 9,049 — — 5,900,876 753,483 24,604 — — — 175,243 13,921 2,710 14,089 2,734 — — 416,566 2,840 824,956 411,576 2,871 815,211 9,049 5,918,101 9,049 5,900,876 759,227 25,000 179,043 753,483 24,604 175,243 — — — — — — — — — — — -88- December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Financial Assets: Investment securities held to maturity U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies Mortgage-backed securities, residential Collateralized mortgage obligations, residential Mortgage-backed securities, multifamily Obligations of states and political subdivisions Total investment securities held to maturity, net Federal Home Loan and other membership bank stock Loans, net Financial Liabilities: Certificates of deposit Other borrowings Subordinated debentures Note 20 - Derivatives Carrying Value Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) $ $ 25,565 39,276 $ 26,344 40,733 — $ — $ 26,344 40,733 14,590 705 10,630 90,766 15,122 759 10,910 93,868 11,979 5,950,108 11,979 5,939,413 1,078,256 25,000 118,257 1,077,620 25,206 118,208 — — — — — — — — — 15,122 759 10,910 93,868 11,979 — 1,077,620 25,206 — — — — — — — — 5,939,413 — — 118,208 Lakeland is a party to interest rate derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments. Lakeland 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 Lakeland executes with a third party, such that Lakeland minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. Because these interest rate swaps do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer swaps and the offsetting swaps are recognized directly in earnings. The changes in the fair value of the swaps offset each other, except for the credit risk of the counterparties, which is determined by taking into consideration the risk rating, probability of default and loss given default for all counterparties. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Lakeland had $55.1 million and $83.2 million, respectively, in securities pledged for collateral on its interest rate swaps. In June 2016, the Company entered into two cash flow hedges in order to hedge the variable cash outflows associated with its floating rate subordinated debentures. For more information, see Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The notional value of these hedges was $30.0 million. The Company’s objective in using the cash flow hedge was to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. The Company used interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges which involved the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. In these particular hedges, the Company was paying a third party an average of 1.10% in exchange for a payment at 3 month LIBOR. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not record any hedge ineffectiveness. The Company recognized $142,000 and $50,000 of accumulated other comprehensive expense that was reclassified into interest expense during 2021 and 2020, respectively. On June 30, 2021, $20.0 million in notional value of the swaps matured and on August 1, 2021, the remaining $10.0 million matured. The Company did not enter into any hedges in 2021. -89- The following tables present summary information regarding these derivatives for the periods presented (dollars in thousands): December 31, 2021 Classified in Other Assets: Third party interest rate swaps Customer interest rate swaps Classified in Other Liabilities: Customer interest rate swaps Third party interest rate swaps December 31, 2020 Classified in Other Assets: 3rd Party interest rate swaps Customer interest rate swaps Classified in Other Liabilities: Customer interest rate swaps 3rd party interest rate swaps Interest rate swap (cash flow hedge) Note 21 - Regulatory Matters Notional Amount Average Maturity (Years) Weighted Average Rate Fixed Weighted Average Variable Rate 326,941 607,688 326,941 607,688 7.7 8.2 7.7 8.2 3.14 % 3.97 % 3.14 % 3.97 % 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.32 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.87 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.32 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.87 Notional Amount Average Maturity (Years) Weighted Average Rate Fixed Weighted Average Variable Rate 73,075 907,069 73,075 907,069 30,000 9.5 8.7 9.5 8.7 0.5 3.20 % 3.79 % 3.20 % 3.79 % 1.10 % 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.55 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.99 1 Mo. LIBOR + 2.55 1 Mo. LIBOR + 1.99 3 Mo. LIBOR $ $ $ $ Fair Value $ $ 9,847 33,952 (9,847) (33,952) Fair Value $ $ 503 80,231 (503) (80,231) (143) The Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 restricts the amount of dividends the Company can pay. Accordingly, dividends should generally only be paid out of current earnings, as defined. The New Jersey Banking Act of 1948 restricts the amount of dividends paid on the capital stock of New Jersey chartered banks. Accordingly, no dividends shall be paid by such banks on their capital stock unless, following the payment of such dividends, the capital stock of Lakeland will be unimpaired, and: (1) Lakeland will have a surplus, as defined, of not less than 50% of its capital stock, or, if not, (2) the payment of such dividend will not reduce the surplus, as defined, of Lakeland. Under these limitations, approximately $782.9 million was available for payment of dividends from Lakeland to the Company as of December 31, 2021. The Company and Lakeland are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory – and possible additional discretionary – actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and Lakeland’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and Lakeland’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and Lakeland’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and Lakeland to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 2021, that the Company and Lakeland met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. As of December 31, 2021, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized Lakeland as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, Lakeland must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category. -90- As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company and Lakeland have the following capital ratios based on the then current regulations: (dollars in thousands) December 31, 2021 Actual Amount Ratio Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) For Capital Adequacy Purposes with Capital Conservation Buffer Ratio Amount To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount Ratio Company Lakeland $ 903,415 14.48 % > $ 654,978 > 10.50% N/A N/A 852,339 13.67 % 654,692 10.50 % > $ 623,516 > 10.00% Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Company Lakeland $ 695,634 11.15 % > $ 530,220 > 8.50% N/A N/A 792,363 12.71 % 529,989 8.50 % > $ 498,813 > 8.00% Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Company Lakeland $ 665,634 10.67 % > $ 436,652 > 7.00% N/A N/A 792,363 12.71 % 436,461 7.00 % > $ 405,285 > 6.50% Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Company Lakeland $ 695,634 8.51 % > $ 326,813 > 4.00% N/A N/A 792,363 9.70 % 326,734 4.00 % > $ 408,418 > 5.00% (dollars in thousands) December 31, 2020 Actual Amount Ratio Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) For Capital Adequacy Purposes with Capital Conservation Buffer Ratio Amount To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount Ratio Company Lakeland $ 783,107 12.84 % > $ 640,632 > 10.50% N/A N/A 745,276 12.22 % 640,416 10.50 % > $ 609,920 > 10.00% Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Company Lakeland $ 623,644 10.22 % > $ 518,607 > 8.50% N/A N/A 672,832 11.03 % 518,432 8.50 % > $ 487,936 > 8.00% Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Company Lakeland $ 593,644 9.73 % > $ 427,088 > 7.00% N/A N/A 672,832 11.03 % 426,944 7.00 % > $ 396,448 > 6.50% Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Company Lakeland $ 623,644 8.37 % > $ 298,096 > 4.00% N/A N/A 672,832 9.04 % 297,748 4.00 % > $ 372,185 > 5.00% Note 22 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The Company reported goodwill of $156.3 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company reviews its goodwill and intangible assets annually, on November 30, or more frequently if conditions warrant, for impairment. In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company compares the estimated fair value of its reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company has determined that it has one reporting unit. During the year ended December 31, 2021, there were no triggering events that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our one reporting unit below its carrying amount. There was no impairment of goodwill recognized during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. -91- Core deposit intangible was $2.4 million on December 31, 2021 compared to $3.3 million on December 31, 2020. In 2021, 2020 and 2019, amortization of core deposit intangible totaled $868,000, $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense for each of the succeeding five years ended December 31 is as follows: (in thousands) 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 $ 711 554 425 317 210 Note 23 - Subsequent Event (Unaudited) 1st Constitution Bancorp On January 6, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp ("1st Constitution"), a bank holding company headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey. 1st Constitution was the parent of 1st Constitution Bank, which operated 25 branches in Bergen, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset Counties in New Jersey. This acquisition enabled the Company to broaden its presence in those counties. Effective as of the close of business on January 6, 2022, 1st Constitution merged into the Company and 1st Constitution Bank merged into Lakeland. Pursuant to the merger agreement, the shareholders of 1st Constitution received for each outstanding share of 1st Constitution common stock that they owned at the effective time of the merger, 1.3577 shares of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. common stock. The Company issued 14,020,495 shares of its common stock in the merger. Outstanding 1st Constitution options were paid out in cash at the difference between $25.55 and an average strike price of $15.95 for a total cash payment of $559,000. Given the close proximity between the transaction closing date and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, the preliminary purchase price allocation has not yet been completed. Management expects to complete the initial accounting for 1st Constitution, including the purchase price allocation, later in the first quarter of 2022. As a result, the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure and develop the fair values and any goodwill recorded will be disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022. Full system integration was completed in February 2022 and three 1st Constitution Bank and one Lakeland Bank branches were closed. Note 24 - Condensed Financial Information - Parent Company Only Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands) Assets Cash and due from banks Investment in subsidiaries Other assets Total Assets Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Other liabilities Subordinated debentures Total stockholders’ equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity December 31, 2021 2020 $ $ $ $ 40,228 954,506 12,639 1,007,373 1,316 179,043 827,014 1,007,373 $ $ $ $ 28,366 843,711 11,274 883,351 1,310 118,257 763,784 883,351 -92- Condensed Statements of Income (in thousands) Income Dividends from subsidiaries Other income (loss) Total Income Expense Interest on subordinated debentures Noninterest expenses Total Expense Income before benefit for income taxes Income taxes benefit Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries Net Income Available to Common Shareholders Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ $ $ 50,648 34 50,682 $ 29,961 (486) 29,475 5,419 1,498 6,917 43,765 (1,445) 45,210 49,831 95,041 $ 5,968 549 6,517 22,958 (1,645) 24,603 32,915 57,518 $ 36,905 408 37,313 5,983 464 6,447 30,866 (1,646) 32,512 38,160 70,672 -93- Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ 95,041 $ 57,518 $ 70,672 Gain on sale of equity securities Amortization of subordinated debt costs Benefit for credit losses Long-term debt extinguishment costs Change in fair value of equity securities Excess tax (deficiency) benefits Increase in other assets Increase in other liabilities Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Cash Flows from Investing Activities Purchases of equity securities Proceeds from maturity of held to maturity securities Proceeds from sale of equity securities Net cash received from business acquisition Contribution to subsidiary Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities Cash Flows from Financing Activities Cash dividends paid on common stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt, net Redemption of subordinated debentures, net Purchase of treasury stock Retirement of restricted stock Exercise of stock options Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year — 547 — 831 — (89) (1,443) 149 (49,831) 45,205 — — — — (65,000) (65,000) (27,119) — 147,738 (88,330) — (651) 19 31,657 11,862 28,366 40,228 $ (149) 37 (12) — 786 (132) (1,462) 25 (32,915) 23,696 (49) 1,000 1,148 — — 2,099 (25,457) — — — (1,452) (501) — (27,410) (1,615) 29,981 28,366 $ — 36 — — (197) 189 (1,873) 121 (38,160) 30,788 (82) — 1,287 24 — 1,229 (24,919) — — — — (715) 313 (25,321) 6,696 23,285 29,981 $ -94- ITEM 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. Not Applicable ITEM 9A – Controls and Procedures. Disclosure Controls As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 15d-15(b). Based on their evaluation as of December 31, 2021, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and are operating in an effective manner and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting The management of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that: • • • Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the board of directors of the Company; and Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because of declines in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). As of December 31, 2021, based on management’s assessment, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, audited our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. Their report, dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on our internal control over financial reporting. Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. -95- Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.: Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three- year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 28, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Short Hills, New Jersey February 28, 2022 -96- ITEM 9B – Other Information. None. ITEM 9C – Disclosures Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections. None. PART III ITEM 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. The Company responds to this Item by incorporating by reference the material responsive to this Item in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. ITEM 11 - Executive Compensation. The Company responds to this Item by incorporating by reference the material responsive to this Item in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. ITEM 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. The Company responds to this Item by incorporating by reference the material responsive to this Item in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION The following table gives information about the Company’s common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options under the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2021. This plan was the Company’s only equity compensation plans in existence as of December 31, 2021. Plan Category Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders TOTAL (a) Number Of Securities To Be Issued Upon Exercise Of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b) Weighted-Average Exercise Price Of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (c) Number Of Securities Remaining Available For Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected In Column (a)) 607,377 — 607,377 $ $ — — — 1,247,587 — 1,247,587 ITEM 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. The Company responds to this Item by incorporating by reference the material responsive to this Item in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. ITEM 14 - Principal Accounting Fees and Services. Our independent registered public accounting firm is KPMG LLP, Short Hills, NJ, Auditor Firm ID is 185. The Company required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the "Audit Matters" section of the 2022 Proxy Statement. -97- ITEM 15 - Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. PART IV (a) 1. Report: The following portions of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are set forth in Item 8 of this Annual (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021. Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021. Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. (a) 2. Financial Statement Schedules All financial statement schedules are omitted as the information, if applicable, is presented in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. (a) 3. Exhibits 2.1 3.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 10.1+ 10.2+ 10.3+ Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 11, 2021, by and between Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and 1st Constitution Bancorp is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 12, 2021. Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated July 24, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018. Registrant's Amended and Restated Bylaws are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 9, 2020. Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2016, between Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 30, 2016 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2016, between Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 30, 2016. Description of the Registrant's Securities is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 Indenture, dated as of September 15, 2021, between Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 15, 2021. First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 15, 2021, between Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 15, 2021. Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 11, 2018. Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Program, as amended and restated effective February 27, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2014. Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Elective Deferral Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2015. -98- 10.4+ 10.5+ 10.6+ 10.7+ 10.8+ 10.9+ 10.10+ 10.11+ 10.12+ 10.13+ 10.14+ 10.15+ 10.16+ 10.17+ 10.18+ 10.19+ 10.20+ Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 30, 2008. Employment Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2008 and executed on May 22, 2008, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Thomas J. Shara, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 28, 2008. Amendment, dated August 7, 2015, to Employment Agreement, dated April 2, 2008 and executed May 22, 2008, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Thomas J. Shara, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 7, 2015. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement for Thomas J. Shara, effective as of April 2, 2008, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Thomas J. Shara is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 28, 2008. Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated February 27, 2015, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Thomas J. Shara, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015. Change in Control Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2009, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Ronald E. Schwarz, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Amendment, dated August 7, 2015, to Change in Control Agreement, dated June 12, 2009, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Ronald E. Schwarz, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 7, 2015. Amendment, dated May 9, 2019, to Change in Control Agreement, dated June 12, 2009, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Ronald E. Schwarz, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 9, 2019. Change of Control Agreement, dated October 31, 2013, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Timothy J. Matteson, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Amendment, dated November 6, 2014, to Change in Control Agreement, dated October 31, 2013, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Timothy J. Matteson, as incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Amendment, dated August 7, 2015, to Change in Control Agreement, dated October 31, 2013, as amended, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Timothy J. Matteson, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2015. Change in Control Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2016, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and James Nigro, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 10, 2016. Change in Control Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2017, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Thomas Splaine, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2017. Amended Change in Control Agreement, dated January 1, 2018, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Ellen Lalwani, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Change in Control Agreement, dated January 1, 2018, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and John Rath, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Change in Control Agreement, dated March 1, 2019, among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Paul Ho Sing Loy, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 9, 2019. Somerset Hills Bancorp 2001 Combined Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on June 3, 2013. -99- 10.21+ 10.22+ 10.23 10.24+ 21.1 23.1 24.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 101.INS 101.SCH 101.CAL 101.DEF 101.LAB 101.PRE 104 Somerset Hills Bancorp 2007 Equity Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on June 3, 2013. Somerset Hills Bancorp 2012 Equity Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on June 3, 2013. Master Agreement, dated October 31, 2017 among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Lakeland Bank and Fiserv Solutions, LLC, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Amendatory Agreement, dated January 6, 2022, to the Change in Control Agreement by and among Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., and Ronald E. Schwarz, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2022. Subsidiaries of Registrant. Consent of KPMG LLP. Power of Attorney. Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Inline XBRL Instance Document (The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101) + Denotes management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement. ITEM 16 – Form 10-K Summary. Not applicable. -100- Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. SIGNATURES LAKELAND BANCORP, INC. Dated: February 28, 2022 By: /s/ Thomas J. Shara Thomas J. Shara President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Capacity Date /s/ Bruce D. Bohuny* Bruce D. Bohuny /s/ Mary Ann Deacon* Mary Ann Deacon /s/ Brian M. Flynn* Brian M. Flynn /s/ Mark J. Fredericks* Mark J. Fredericks /s/ Brian Gragnolati* Brian Gragnolati /s/ James E. Hanson II* James E. Hanson II /s/ Janeth C. Hendershot* Janeth C. Hendershot /s/ Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr.* Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr. /s/ Robert F. Mangano* Robert F. Mangano /s/ Robert E. McCracken* Robert E. McCracken /s/ Robert B. Nicholson, III* Robert B. Nicholson, III Director Chairman Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director -101- February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 Signature /s/ Thomas J. Shara Thomas J. Shara /s/ Thomas Splaine Thomas Splaine *By: /s/ Thomas J. Shara Thomas J. Shara Attorney-in-Fact Capacity Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Date February 28, 2022 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022 -102- LAKELAND INVESTOR INFORMATION STOCK LISTING Common shares of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., trade on the Nasdaq Global Select under the symbol “LBAI.” DIVIDEND CALENDAR Dividends on Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. common stock are customarily payable on or about the 15th of February, May, August and November. REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT EQ Shareowner Services P.O. Box 64874 St Paul, MN 55164-0874 888-556-0419 651-450-4064 (outside the United States) www.shareowneronline.com CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. 250 Oak Ridge Road Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 973-697-2000 INFORMATION ON LAKELAND BANCORP, INC., CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET AT LAKELANDBANK.COM  250 Oak Ridge Road | Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 t: 973-697-2000 | LakelandBank.com | Stock symbol: LBAI L a k e l a n d B a n c o r p , I n c . 2 0 2 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T 

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