First Commerce Bancorp, Inc. Reports Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2026 Results and Declares a Cash Dividend

Lakewood, N.J. / ACCESS Newswire / October 28, 2026 / First Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), (OTCID: CMRB), the holding company for First Commerce Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $4.9 million and $12.1 million for the three- and nine-months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $2.1 million and $5.1 million for the three- and nine-months ending September 30, 2025, respectively. Basic earnings per common share for the three- and nine-months ending September 30, 2026, were $0.28 and $0.68, respectively, compared to $0.10 and $0.25 for the three- and nine-months ending September 30, 2025, respectively. The Board of Directors has unanimously declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per common share for shareholders of record on November 10, 2026, with a payable date of November 24, 2026. Per share results for the 2026 periods also reflect the effect of a reduced weighted-average share count following the Company’s repurchase of 3.0 million shares of common stock in its 2026 tender offer.

President & CEO Donald Mindiak commented, “The continuing successful execution of the balance sheet growth strategy initiated last year, coupled with prudent underwriting, a selective investment strategy and persistent diligence in our collection efforts of several non-accrual loans have produced quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year improving operating results. Double-digit percentage growth in net interest income and non-interest income combined with prudent expense management practices has produced consistent incremental growth in core operating results, net income and improvements in their related profitability metrics. Efficient deployment of excess liquidity into higher yielding loans and investments continues to be a driver of operating results, while maintaining sufficient liquidity in line with regulatory parameters. Despite a fluid economic and geopolitical landscape, and an uncertain prospective rate environment, we are encouraged by the opportunities we continue to see in the markets we serve. We remain heartened by the improvement in our credit quality, and steadfast in our efforts to continue this momentum. With a strong balance sheet and a committed Board and Senior Management team, we remain focused on executing those initiatives that have the capacity to enhance franchise and shareholder value.”

Continuing, he stated, “We recently updated our core banking system in an effort to improve your banking experience. This upgrade will provide a stronger foundation for enhanced digital banking capabilities, increased efficiency and a more fulfilling customer experience. We are honored to be your banking partner and look forward to serving all your banking needs.”

Financial Highlights

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets increased by $184.2 million or 10.3% to $1.98 billion at September 30, 2026, from $1.79 billion at December 31, 2025. The increase in total assets was primarily related to increases in total loans receivable, total investment securities and bank-owned life insurance, partially offset by a decrease in total cash and cash equivalents during the nine months ending September 30, 2026.

Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $63.4 million or 46.5% to $73.0 million at September 30, 2026, from $136.4 million at December 31, 2025. This decrease was primarily due to funding of loan growth and investment securities purchases.

Total investment securities increased by $35.9 million or 21.8% to $200.2 million at September 30, 2026, from $164.3 million at December 31, 2025. The increase in investment securities resulted primarily from $91.0 million in purchases of investment securities, partially offset by $19.4 million in redemptions and maturities, $33.2 million of amortization of mortgage-backed securities, and $2.6 million increase in mark-to-market loss on available-for-sale investment securities.

Total loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, increased by $189.9 million or 13.5% to $1.59 billion at September 30, 2026, from $1.40 billion at December 31, 2025. The increase in total loans resulted primarily from an increase of $19.9 million, or 11.7%, in 1-4 family and mixed-use mortgages, an increase of $20.5 million, or 21.1%, in multifamily mortgages, an increase of $99.2 million, or 9.6%, in commercial mortgages, and an increase of $53.3 million, or 70.6%, in construction loans. This was partially offset by a decrease of $970,000, or 16.9%, in home equity loans, and a decrease of $2.2 million, or 7.1%, in commercial loans. The allowance for credit losses decreased by $77,000 or 0.5% to $15.9 million or 0.99% of total loans at September 30, 2026, as compared to $16.0 million or 1.13% of total loans at December 31, 2025.

Total deposits increased $162.5 million or 12.5% to $1.46 billion at September 30, 2026, from $1.30 billion at December 31, 2025. The increase in total deposits resulted primarily from an increase of $3.4 million, or 2.0%, in non-interest-bearing checking deposits, an increase of $85.4 million, or 93.8%, in NOW deposits, an increase of $6.4 million, or 8.5%, in savings accounts, an increase of $19.7 million, or 7.1%, in money market accounts, and an increase of $81.8 million, or 55.8%, in brokered deposits. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $30.5 million, or 5.8%, in retail certificates of deposit, and a decrease of $3.6 million, or 39.4%, in CDARs.

Borrowings, which are primarily Federal Home Loan Bank advances, increased $27.8 million or 11.0% to $280.3 million at September 30, 2026, from $252.5 million at December 31, 2025, which assisted in the facilitation of the loan and investment securities growth discussed previously.

Stockholders’ equity decreased by $13.4 million or 7.7% to $162.0 million at September 30, 2026, from $175.4 million at December 31, 2025. The decrease in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to an increase in treasury stock of $21.3 million and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive losses of $1.9 million, partially offset by an increase of $9.5 million in retained earnings. During the nine months ending September 30, 2026, the Company completed a tender offer to repurchase 3.0 million shares of its outstanding common stock at $7.00 per common share for a total cost of $21.0 million which resulted in an increase in treasury stock.

Three Months of Operations

Net interest income increased by $5.0 million or 46.5% to $15.9 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $10.8 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in total interest and dividend income of $5.9 million as a result of an increase in the balance of average interest earning assets, partially offset by an increase in total interest expense of $884,000 as a result of an increase in the balance of average interest-bearing liabilities.

Total interest and dividend income increased by $5.9 million or 24.6% to $30.0 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $24.1 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025. Interest income on loans, including fees, increased $5.3 million or 25.4% to $26.0 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $20.7 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in interest income on loans, including fees, resulted primarily from an increase in the average balance of loans receivable of $197.9 million or 14.3% to $1.58 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $1.38 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2025. Average yield on loans receivable was 6.51% for the three months ending September 30, 2026, increasing fifty-eight basis points over the comparative period in 2025. Interest income on investment securities increased by $721,000 or 30.0% to $3.1 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $2.4 million for the same period in the prior year, as a result of growth in the investment securities portfolio and purchasing and replacing payoffs and paydowns of investment securities with higher yielding investment securities. The average balance of the investment security portfolio increased by $28.1 million or 15.9% to $205.1 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $177.0 million for the same period in the prior year. The average yield on investment securities increased by sixty-six basis points to 6.09% for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 5.43% for the same period in the prior year. Interest income on interest-bearing deposits with other banks decreased by $107,000 or 13.2% to $704,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $811,000 for the same period in the prior year. This decrease resulted primarily from a decline in average yield of seventy-one basis points to 3.43% for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 4.14% for the same period in the prior year. Dividend income on restricted stock increased by $46,000 or 22.4% to $251,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $205,000 for the same period in the prior year as a result of an increase in average balance of restricted stock of $3.9 million or 33.9% to $15.5 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $11.6 million for the same period in the prior year despite a decrease in average yield of sixty-one basis points to 6.48% for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 7.09% for the same period in the prior year.

Total interest expense increased by $884,000 or 6.7% to $14.2 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $13.3 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in interest expense occurred primarily as a result of an increase in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $249.1 million or 18.7%, to $1.58 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $1.33 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2025. Despite the increase in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities, the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by forty basis points to 3.55% for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 3.95% for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities included a $121.7 million increase in average interest-bearing deposit liabilities, an $88.4 million increase in average wholesale borrowings, and a $39.0 million addition of subordinated notes for the three months ending September 30, 2026. The increase in interest-bearing liabilities was primarily used to facilitate asset growth and strategic initiatives as well as to maintain an increased level of liquidity consistent with regulatory guidance.

During the third quarter of 2026, the Company recorded a $173,000 provision for credit losses as compared to a $452,000 provision for credit losses for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2026 was primarily due to management’s evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative factors that impact the CECL model calculations despite an increase of $47.2 million during the quarter in gross loans receivable. The Company recorded a $243,000 provision for credit losses on loans, a $54,000 reversal of provision for credit losses for unfunded commitments and a $16,000 reversal of provision for credit losses on corporate securities held-to-maturity. Management believes that the balance of the allowance for credit losses on loans and investment securities at September 30, 2026, and 2025 were appropriate.

Net interest margin increased by seventy-three basis points to 3.34% for the three months ending September 30, 2026, compared to 2.61% for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in the net interest margin was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of total interest-earning assets of $233.6 million or 14.1% to $1.88 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2026, compared to $1.65 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2025, and an increase in average yield of interest-earning assets to 6.32% for the three months ending September 30, 2026 from 5.79% for the three months ending September 30, 2025, coupled with a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 3.55% for the three months ending September 30, 2026 from 3.95% for the three months ending September 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in the total interest-bearing liabilities of $249.1 million or 18.7% to $1.58 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $1.33 billion for the three months ending September 30, 2025.

Non-interest income increased by $768,000 or 89.4% to $1.6 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $859,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in total non-interest income was primarily due to an increase of $769,000 in bank owned life insurance income and an increase of $67,000 in other income, partially offset by a decrease of $68,000 in service charges and fees. BOLI income increased as a result of the Company’s purchasing of $13.4 million in new BOLI policies to insure additional employees as well as an enhanced rate of return on the policies.

Non-interest expense increased by $551,000 or 6.5% to $9.0 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, compared to $8.5 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $569,000 or 11.7% to $5.4 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $4.9 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to a slight increase in headcount, annual merit increases, severance payments, and higher health insurance costs.  Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $348,000 or 28.2% to $1.6 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $1.2 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to increases in lease expense, facilities maintenance contracts, and other real estate owned expenses. Advertising and marketing expense decreased by $58,000 or 51.8% to $54,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $112,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to the reduction in advertising campaigns. Professional fees increased by $96,000 or 16.9% to $663,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $567,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to increase in director fees and consulting services. Data processing expense increased by $78,000 or 23.4% to $411,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $333,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to the addition of certain ancillary services during the year. Other operating expenses decreased by $494,000 or 45.7% to $588,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $1.1 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to reversal of certain accrued expenses. Other operating expenses are primarily comprised of loan related expenses, dues and subscriptions, digital banking expenses, sponsorships, training and education, postage, meals and entertainment, software maintenance and depreciation, and miscellaneous expenses. Management’s focus continues to remain on prudently managing its operating expenses, while executing on the organic growth initiative.

The income tax provision increased by $2.7 million or 395.5% to $3.4 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $687,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in income tax provision resulted primarily from an increase in the pre-tax income year over year of $5.5 million or 199.9% to $8.3 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, from $2.8 million for the three months ending September 30, 2025. The Company also recorded $842,000 in tax expense related to the surrender of certain BOLI policies and $704,000 in state tax provision related to an ongoing tax matter involving a subsidiary of the Company. Discussions with the State of New Jersey regarding the Delaware investment company’s tax status remain ongoing and there can be no assurance as to the outcome of this matter with final amounts attributable to the matter possibly differing from those currently recorded. The effective tax rate was 41.0% for the three months ending September 30, 2026, compared to 24.8% for the comparable 2025 period. Excluding the additional tax expense related to the BOLI policy surrenders and the subsidiary’s tax matter, the effective tax rate for the 2026 period would have been 22.4%.

Nine Months of Operations

Net interest income increased by $12.4 million or 42.4% to $41.5 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, from $29.1 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in total interest and dividend income of $15.7 million as a result of an increase in the balance of average interest earning assets, partially offset by an increase in total interest expense of $3.4 million as a result of an increase in the balance of average interest-bearing liabilities.

Total interest and dividend income increased by $15.7 million or 23.7% to $82.1 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, from $66.3 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. Interest income on loans, including fees, increased $14.2 million or 25.2% to $70.7 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $56.5 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in interest income on loans, including fees, resulted primarily from an increase in the average balance of loans receivable of $199.2 million or 15.2% to $1.51 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $1.31 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. Average yield on loans receivable was 6.27% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, increasing forty-nine basis points over the comparative period in 2025. Interest income on investment securities increased by $1.7 million or 25.9% to $8.3 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $6.6 million for the same period in the prior year, as a result of growth in the investment securities portfolio and purchasing and replacing payoffs and paydowns of investment securities with higher yielding investment securities. The average balance of the investment security portfolio increased by $28.1 million or 16.6% to $197.8 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $169.6 million for the same period in the prior year. The average yield on investment securities increased by forty-one basis points to 5.57% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 5.16% for the same period in the prior year. Interest income on interest-bearing deposits with other banks decreased by $288,000 or 10.9% to $2.3 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $2.6 million for the same period in the prior year. This decrease resulted primarily from a decline in average yield of sixty-seven basis points to 3.47% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 4.14% for the same period in the prior year. Dividend income on restricted stock increased by $114,000 or 18.7% to $725,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $611,000 for the same period in the prior year as a result of an increase in average balance of restricted stock of $3.8 million or 35.3% to $14.4 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $10.6 million for the same period in the prior year despite a decrease in average yield of ninety-four basis points to 6.72% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 7.66% for the same period in the prior year.

Total interest expense increased by $3.4 million or 9.1% to $40.6 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, from $37.2 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in interest expense occurred primarily as a result of an increase in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $248.1 million or 19.6%, to $1.51 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, from $1.26 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. Despite the increase in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities, the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by thirty-five basis points to 3.59% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to 3.94% for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in average balance of interest-bearing liabilities included a $125.9 million increase in average interest-bearing deposit liabilities, an $83.3 million increase in average wholesale borrowings, and a $39.0 million addition of subordinated notes for the nine months ending September 30, 2026. The increase in interest-bearing liabilities was primarily used to facilitate asset growth and strategic initiatives as well as to maintain an increased level of liquidity consistent with regulatory guidance.

During the nine months ending September 30, 2026, the Company recorded a $378,000 reversal of provision for credit losses as compared to a $1.2 million provision for credit losses for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in provision for credit losses for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, was primarily due to management’s evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative factors that impact the CECL model calculations despite an increase of $189.8 million in gross loans receivable. The Company recorded a $79,000 reversal of provision for credit losses on loans, a $251,000 reversal of provision for credit losses for unfunded commitments and a $48,000 reversal of provision for credit losses on corporate securities held-to-maturity. Management believes that the balance of the allowance for credit losses on loans and investment securities at September 30, 2026, and 2025 were appropriate.

Net interest margin increased by fifty-nine basis points to 3.06% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, compared to 2.47% for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in the net interest margin was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of total interest-earning assets of $236.5 million or 15.0% to $1.81 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, compared to $1.57 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, and an increase in average yield of interest-earning assets to 6.06% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026 from 5.64% for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, coupled with a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 3.59% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026 from 3.94% for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, partially offset by an increase in the total interest-bearing liabilities of $248.1 million or 19.6% to $1.51 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, from $1.26 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2025.

Non-interest income increased by $922,000 or 32.5% to $3.8 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, from $2.8 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in total non-interest income was primarily due to an increase of $1.4 million in bank owned life insurance income and an increase of $173,000 in service charges and fees, partially offset by a decrease of $629,000 in other income. BOLI income increased as a result of the Company’s purchasing of $13.4 million in new BOLI policies to insure additional employees as well as an enhanced rate of return on the policies. Other income for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, was impacted by a $778,000 gain recorded on the sale of a Company owned property.

Non-interest expense increased by $3.6 million or 14.8% to $27.7 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, compared to $24.1 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $1.4 million or 9.9% to $15.7 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $14.3 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to a slight increase in headcount as a result of the growth of the Bank, annual merit increases, severance payments, and higher health insurance costs. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $925,000 or 26.6% to $4.4 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $3.5 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to increases in lease expense, facilities maintenance contracts, and other real estate owned expenses. Advertising and marketing expense decreased by $58,000 or 24.1% to $183,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $241,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to reduction in advertising campaigns. Professional fees increased by $407,000 or 27.1% to $1.9 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $1.5 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to increases in director fees and consulting services. Data processing expense increased by $118,000 or 11.7% to $1.1 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $1.0 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to annual cost increase and addition of ancillary services. FDIC insurance assessment increased by $94,000 or 12.2% to $865,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $771,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, as a result of the growth in total assets. Other operating expenses increased by $677,000 or 23.7% to $3.5 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, as compared to $2.9 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, primarily due to increases in various components of other operating expenses. Other operating expenses are primarily comprised of loan related expenses, dues and subscriptions, digital banking expenses, sponsorships, training and education, postage, meals and entertainment, software maintenance and depreciation, and miscellaneous expenses. Management’s focus continues to remain on prudently managing its operating expenses, while executing on the organic growth initiative.

The income tax provision increased by $4.3 million, or 293.8%, to $5.8 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, from $1.5 million for the comparable 2025 period. The increase primarily reflected higher pre-tax income, which rose by $11.3 million, or 172.6%, to $17.9 million from $6.6 million. The Company also recorded $842,000 in tax expense related to the surrender of certain BOLI policies and $704,000 in state tax provision related to a tax matter involving a subsidiary of the Company. Discussions with the State of New Jersey regarding the Delaware investment company’s tax status remain ongoing and there can be no assurance as to the outcome of this matter with final amounts attributable to the matter possibly differing from those currently recorded. The effective tax rate was 32.5% for the nine months ending September 30, 2026, compared to 22.5% for the comparable 2025 period. Excluding the additional tax expense related to the BOLI policy surrenders and the subsidiary’s tax matter, the effective tax rate for the 2026 period would have been 23.9%.

Asset Quality

The allowance for credit losses decreased by $77,000 or 0.5% to $15.9 million or 0.99% of total loans at September 30, 2026, as compared to $16.0 million or 1.13% of total loans at December 31, 2025, and $15.9 million or 1.14% of total loans at September 30, 2025. During the nine months ending September 30, 2026, the Company reversed $378,000 in provision for credit losses and had no charge-offs and net recoveries of $2,000. Based on the results of the CECL model and management’s evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative factors during the nine months ending September 30, 2026, changes in the allowance for credit losses were adjusted accordingly.

The Bank had non-accrual loans totaling $5.7 million or 0.35% of total loans at September 30, 2026, as compared to $10.5 million or 0.74% of total loans at December 31, 2025. Non-accrual loans decreased by $4.8 million from December 31, 2025, primarily due to payoff of two non-accrual loans during the third quarter of 2026. The allowance for credit losses was 279.4% of non-accrual loans at September 30, 2026, compared to 152.4%, at December 31, 2025.

Capital

Total stockholders’ equity decreased by $13.4 million, or 7.7%, to $162.0 million at September 30, 2026, from $175.4 million at December 31, 2025, due primarily to the Company’s completion of a tender offer to repurchase 3.0 million shares of its common stock at $7.00 per share for an aggregate cost of $21.0 million. Reflecting the repurchase and balance sheet growth, the Company’s regulatory capital ratios declined from December 31, 2025, to September 30, 2026: total capital to risk-weighted assets decreased to 12.44% from 14.93%. Tier 1 capital and common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets decreased to 9.29% from 11.32%, and Tier 1 leverage ratio decreased to 8.32% from 10.22%. The Company and Bank continue to satisfy all applicable regulatory capital requirements to be considered well-capitalized at September 30, 2026.

About First Commerce Bancorp, Inc.

First Commerce Bancorp, Inc., is a financial services organization headquartered in Lakewood, New Jersey. The Bank, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, provides businesses and individuals a wide range of loans, deposit products and retail and commercial banking services through its branch network located in Allentown, Bordentown, Closter, Englewood, Fairfield, Freehold, Jackson, Lakewood, Robbinsville and Teaneck, New Jersey. For more information, please go to www.firstcommercebk.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release, like many written and oral communications presented by First Commerce Bancorp Inc., and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

In addition to the factors previously disclosed in prior Bank communications and those identified elsewhere, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the impact of changes in interest rates and in the credit quality and strength of underlying collateral and the effect of such changes on the market value of First Commerce Bank’s investment securities portfolio; changes in asset quality and credit risk; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; difficult market conditions and unfavorable economic trends in the United States generally, and particularly in the market areas in which First Commerce Bank operates and in which its loans are concentrated, including the effects of declines in housing market values; inflation; customer acceptance of the Bank’s products and services; customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices; customer disintermediation; the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives; competitive conditions; the inability to realize cost savings or revenues or to implement integration plans and other consequences associated with certain corporate initiatives; economic conditions; and the impact, extent and timing of technological changes, capital management activities, and actions of governmental agencies and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the ongoing tax matter under review by the State of New Jersey.