PARKE BANCORP, INC.PKBK
PARKE BANCORP, INC. Commitments Disclosure
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. The contract or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of the Company’s involvement in these particular classes of financial instruments. The Company’s exposure to the maximum possible credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit-worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable; inventory; property, plant and equipment and income-producing commercial properties. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Commitments to fund fixed-rate loans were immaterial at December 31, 2024. Variable-rate commitments are generally issued for less than one year and carry market rates of interest. Such instruments are not likely to be affected by annual rate caps triggered by rising interest rates. Management believes that off-balance sheet risk is not material to the results of operations or financial condition. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, unused commitments to extend credit amounted to approximately $122.5 million and $93.8 million, respectively.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the 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. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, standby letters of credit with customers were $0.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses of unfunded lending commitments was $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively. A provision expense for unfunded lending commitments of $0.4 million was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2024, while there was $0.5 million provision recovery recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company also has entered into an employment contract with the President of the Company, which provides for continued payment of certain employment salary and benefits prior to the expiration date of the agreement and in the event of a change in control, as defined. The Company has also entered into Change-in-Control Severance Agreements with certain officers which provide for the payment of severance in certain circumstances following a change in control.
We provide banking services to customers that are licensed by various States to do business in the cannabis industry as growers, processors and dispensaries. Cannabis businesses are legal in these States, although it is not legal at the federal level. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) published guidelines in 2014 for financial institutions servicing state legal cannabis businesses. A financial institution that provides services to cannabis-related businesses can comply with Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) disclosure standards by following the FinCEN guidelines. We maintain stringent written policies and procedures related to the acceptance of such businesses and to the monitoring and maintenance of such business accounts. We conduct a significant due diligence review of the cannabis business before the business is accepted, including confirmation that the business is properly licensed by the applicable state. Throughout the relationship, we continue monitoring the business, including site visits, to ensure that the business continues to meet our stringent requirements, including maintenance of required licenses and periodic financial reviews of the business.
While we believe we are operating in compliance with the FinCEN guidelines, there can be no assurance that federal enforcement guidelines will not change. Federal prosecutors have significant discretion and there can be no assurance that the federal prosecutors will not choose to strictly enforce the federal laws governing cannabis. Any change in the Federal government’s enforcement position, could cause us to immediately cease providing banking services to the cannabis industry.
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, deposit balances from cannabis customers were approximately $151.9 million and $96.7 million, or 9.3% and 6.2% of total deposits, respectively, with three customers accounting for 59.4% and 60.6% of the total at December 31, 2024 and 2023. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were cannabis-related loans in the amounts of $43.4 million and $27.1 million, respectively.
Absecon Gardens Condominium Association v. Parke Bank Matter
Absecon Gardens Condominium Association v. Parke Bank, One Mechanic Street, et al, Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Atlantic County, Docket No. ATL-L-2321-21. The Company is the successor to the interests of the developer of the Absecon Gardens Condominium project in Absecon NJ. Some of the unit owners have suggested that the Company is responsible for contributions and/or repair for alleged damages purportedly relating to construction. The owners filed a Complaint, alleging that the damages total approximately $1.7 million. The matter is in discovery so it is difficult to determine whether that amount accurately reflects the claimed damages, or whether the Company is in any way culpable for the damages. At this time it is too early to predict whether an unfavorable outcome will result. The Company is vigorously defending this matter. See "Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Mori Restaurant LLC v. Parke Bank Matter
On May 20, 2014, Parke Bank (the "Bank") loaned Voorhees Diner Corporation ("VDC") the original principal sum of $1,000,000.00 for purposes of tenant fit out, and operation, of the Voorhees Diner situated at 320 Route 73, Voorhees, New Jersey 08043. VDC leased the Diner property under that certain Lease with Mori Restaurant LLC ("Mori") dated May 20, 2014. In connection with the loan from the Bank and as security therefor, VDC pledged its leasehold interest to the Bank. On March 6, 2015, the loan was modified, and the principal amount of the loan was increased to $1,400,000.00. On January 8, 2020, the Bank declared VDC in default of its loan obligations. Judgment was entered against VDC and in favor of the Bank, and the court appointed Alan I. Gould, Esquire, as the Receiver for the Voorhees Diner Corporation. Mr. Gould subsequently caused VDC's leasehold interest in the Diner property to be sold at sheriffs sale. The Bank's REO subsidiary, 320 Route 73 LLC, was the successful bidder and took title thereto. Mori Restaurant has filed counterclaims against 320 Route 73 LLC and the Bank for rent allegedly accruing due during the period that the Receiver was in possession of the premises. As to all of Mori Restaurant’s claims, the Bank defendants’ primary, but not exclusive, defense in this matter is that, pursuant to that certain Fee Owner Consent executed by and between Mori Restaurant and the Bank, in November 2014, the lease between VDC and Mori Restaurant was terminated as a matter of law and neither the Bank nor 320 Route 73 LLC have liability to Mori Restaurant under the lease or otherwise. The Bank believes this suit is without merit, denies any and all liability and intends to vigorously defend against this matter.
Other than the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Bank are involved in any other pending legal proceedings, other than routine legal matters occurring in the ordinary course of business, which in the aggregate involve amounts which are believed by management to be immaterial to the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
About Commitments Disclosures
Commitments and contingencies disclosures catalog a company's off-balance-sheet obligations and legal exposures — purchase commitments, guarantee arrangements, pending litigation, and regulatory proceedings. These items represent potential future cash outflows that may not appear as liabilities on the balance sheet until they become probable and estimable.
Key signals: litigation reserves and disclosed loss ranges quantify management's estimate of legal exposure, but unquantified "reasonably possible" losses often represent the larger risk. Watch for changes in language around pending cases — shifts from "remote" to "reasonably possible" or increases in estimated loss ranges signal deteriorating outcomes. Unconditional purchase obligations and take-or-pay contracts create fixed cost structures that reduce operational flexibility. Guarantee arrangements for subsidiaries or joint ventures can create cascading obligations. Compare the total commitment schedule against projected free cash flow to assess whether the company can meet its obligations without additional financing.