Form S-3/A - Registration statement under Securities Act of 1933: [Amend]

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2024

Registration No. 333-278970

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

AMENDMENT #2 TO

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

OPTIMUMBANK HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

55-0865043

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

2929 East Commercial Boulevard, Suite 303

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33308

[phone]

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Timothy Terry

President and Chief Executive Officer

OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.

2929 East Commercial Boulevard, Suite 303

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33308

[phone]

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)

 

Please send copies of all communications, including copies of all communications sent to agent for service, to:

 

Richard Pearlman, Esq.

Christina Ahrens, Esq.

Igler and Pearlman, P.A.

2457 Care Drive, Suite 203

Tallahassee, Florida 32308

 

From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement

(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 14e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) ☐

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-party Tender Offer) ☐

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 8, 2024

 

PROSPECTUS

 

1,381,025 Shares of Common Stock

 

OPTIMUMBANK HOLDINGS, INC.

 

Pursuant to this prospectus, the selling stockholders identified herein (the “Selling Stockholders”) are offering for resale an aggregate of 1,381,025 shares of our common stock.

 

The shares offered for resale were acquired in a private placement transaction pursuant to securities purchase agreements by and between us and each of the Selling Stockholders, dated March 28, 2024 (the “Purchase Agreements”). See “Prospectus Summary – Private Placement of Shares of Common Stock and Series C Preferred Shares” for additional information regarding the private placement transaction and the Purchase Agreements.

 

We are registering the shares on behalf of the Selling Stockholders, to be offered and sold by the Selling Stockholders from time to time.

 

Sales of the shares by the Selling Stockholders may occur at fixed prices, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices, and/or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The Selling Stockholders may sell shares directly or to or through underwriters, broker-dealers, or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the Selling Stockholders, the purchasers of the shares, or both. The Selling Stockholders may sell any, all, or none of the shares offered by this prospectus and we do not know when or in what amount the Selling Stockholders may sell their shares following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We provide more information about how the Selling Stockholders may sell or otherwise dispose of their shares in the section titled “Plan of Distribution” on page 19.

 

We are paying the cost of registering the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus as well as various related expenses. The Selling Stockholders are responsible for all selling commissions, transfer taxes, and other costs related to the offer and sale of their shares.

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OPHC.” On July 5, 2024, the last reported sale price for our common stock was $4.34 per share.

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our common stock.

 

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) or any state securities commission or any other federal regulatory agency has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

These shares of common stock are not savings accounts, deposits, or other obligations of our bank subsidiary and are not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental agency.

 

The date of this prospectus is _______, 2024

 

 

 

Until [____________________], 2024 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section		Page
About this Prospectus		ii
Where You Can Find More Information		ii
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference		iii
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		iii
Prospectus Summary		1
Risk Factors		2
Use of Proceeds		18
Selling Stockholders		18
Plan of Distribution		19
Legal Matters		21
Experts		21

 

[____________], 2024

 

i

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell, from time to time, any of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities and the offering. A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities or to us. The supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Optimum”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, “ours” and “us” are to OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed a registration statement with the SEC, of which this prospectus is a part, with respect to the securities being offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. We refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto for further information. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document filed as an exhibit are qualified in all respects by reference to the actual text of the exhibit.

 

We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, as well as the documents incorporated herein by reference, are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OPHC We also maintain an Internet site where you can find additional information. The address of our Internet site is https://www.optimumbank.com. All internet addresses provided in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. In addition, the information on our Internet website, or any other Internet site described herein, is not a part of, and is not incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials.

 

ii

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC’s rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following documents (other than information “furnished” and not “filed”):

 

	●	Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Form 10-K”), filed on March 8, 2024, including the portions of our Revised Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on May 23, 2024, and incorporated by reference into Part III of our 2023 Form 10-K;
	●	Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed on May 13, 2024;

 

●

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A, as applicable, filed on March 28, 2024, April 22, 2024, May 6, 2024, May 16, 2024, and May 31, 2024; and

 

●

The description of our securities registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act included as Exhibit 4.2 to the 2023 Form 10-K, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

All documents we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities to which this prospectus relates (other than information in such documents that is furnished and not deemed to be filed) shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing of those documents.

 

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive office:

 

OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.

Attn: Mary Franco

2929 East Commercial Boulevard, Suite 303

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

[phone]

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Neither we nor the Selling Stockholders, nor any underwriters, dealers or agents have authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. Neither we nor the Selling Stockholders are making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the dates of the applicable documents.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We have made forward-looking statements in this prospectus about the financial condition, results of operations, and business of our company. These statements are not historical facts and include expressions concerning the future that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the following possibilities:

 

	●	general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, that are less favorable than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and an increase in credit risk-related losses and expenses;
	●	changes in the interest rate environment that reduce margins;
	●	competitive pressure in the banking industry that increases significantly;
	●	changes that occur in the regulatory environment; and
	●	changes that occur in business conditions and the rate of inflation.

 

When used in this prospectus, the words “believes,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “should,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” and “anticipates,” as well as similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

iii

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

Overview of our Company

 

OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. is a Florida corporation formed in 2004 as a bank holding company for OptimumBank (the “Bank”). The Company’s only business is the ownership and operation of the Bank. The Bank is a Florida state-chartered bank established in 2000, with deposits insured by FDIC. The Bank offers a variety of community banking services to individual and corporate customers through its two banking offices located in Broward County, Florida.

 

The Company is subject to the supervision and regulation of the Federal Reserve. The Bank is subject to the supervision and regulation of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and the FDIC. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

 

The Company’s common stock is registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act, and files periodic reports with the SEC. The Company’s common stock trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OPHC.”

 

Private Placement of Shares of Common Stock

 

On March 28, 2024, we entered into securities purchase agreements with several institutional and accredited investors for the sale by the Company of shares of common stock in a private placement offering (the “Private Placement”). The purchase price was $3.90 per share. The Private Placement also closed on March 28, 2024.

 

In connection with the Purchase Agreements, the Company and certain of the investors in the Private Placement entered in Registration Rights Agreements. Pursuant to such agreements, the Company agreed to file within 30 days of closing, a registration statement with the SEC covering all shares of common stock sold in the Private Placement which were subject to a Registration Rights Agreement, and to use its best efforts to cause the registration statement to be declared effective no later than August 25, 2024.

 

The shares were sold and issued in the Private Placement without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as transactions not involving a public offering and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act as sales to accredited investors, and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws.

 

The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Purchase Agreements were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the Purchase Agreements. In addition, such representations, warranties, and covenants: (i) are intended as a way of allocating the risk between the parties to the Purchase Agreement and not as statements of fact, and (ii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by stockholders of, or other investors in, the Company. Accordingly, the Purchase Agreement is filed with this prospectus only to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the transaction, and not to provide investors with any other factual information regarding the Company. Information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Purchase Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures.

 

On March 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Placement Agency Agreement with Compass Point Research and Trading, LLC (“Compass Point” or the “Placement Agent”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay the Placement Agent (i) a cash fee equal to 5.0% of the gross proceeds received by the Company in the Private Placement, (ii) reimbursement of the Placement Agent’s expenses in an amount up to $125,000.

 

1

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Our business and results of operations are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. The material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect the Company are described below. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of or that management currently deems immaterial may also impair the Company’s business operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If this were to happen, the value of our securities could decline significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Some statements in the following risk factors constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page iii of this prospectus.

 

These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations and financial condition.

 

Risk Factor Summary

 

Our business is subject to uncertainties and risks and our risk factors can be broadly summarized by the following:

 

	●	Our ability to grow the size and geographic scope of our loan generation, loan sale, and deposit gathering business, and the infrastructure needed to support it;
	●	Possible loan defaults, devaluation of collateral, adverse political, environmental, or economic events, and competition;
	●	Interest rates and available sources of liquidity;
	●	Our ability to raise capital and the effects of doing so on our shareholders;
	●	The potential that we are subject to fraud, incorrect judgments, or other bad acts of third parties;
	●	Laws, regulations, rules, and standards to which we are subject and the government agencies with which we interact;
	●	Recruitment, retention, development, performance, and potential bad acts of our key executives and other employees, as well as transactions with them and our directors;
	●	Rapidly developing technology;
	●	Estimates used in certain valuations, including our credit loss reserve; and
	●	Features of our stock, such as liquidity, dilution, the lack of preemptive rights, our SEC reporting status, and the concentration of ownership among our insiders.

 

2

 

Risk Factors Related to Our Business

 

Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition.

 

Liquidity is essential to our business. Actions by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may reduce our borrowing capacity. Additionally, we may not be able to attract deposits at competitive rates. Our inability to raise funds through traditional deposits, brokered deposits, borrowings, the sale of investment securities or loans, and other sources could negatively affect our liquidity or result in increased funding costs. Liquidity may also be adversely impacted by bank supervisory and regulatory authorities mandating changes in the composition of our balance sheet to asset classes that are less liquid.

 

Changes in interest rates affect our profitability and assets.

 

Our profitability depends to a large extent on the Bank’s net interest income, which is the difference between income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and expenses on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. We are unable to predict changes in market interest rates, which are affected by many factors beyond our control including inflation, economic recession, unemployment, money supply, domestic and international events, and changes in the United States and other financial markets.

 

At December 31, 2023, and at March 31, 2024, our one-year interest rate sensitivity position was asset sensitive, such that a gradual increase in interest rates during the next twelve months would have a positive impact on our net interest income. Our results of operations are affected by changes in interest rates and our ability to manage this risk. The difference between interest rates charged on interest-earning assets and interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities may be affected by changes in market interest rates, changes in relationships between interest rate indices, and changes in the relationships between long-term and short-term market interest rates. Our net interest income may be reduced if: (i) more interest-earning assets than interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature during a time when interest rates are declining; or (ii) more interest-bearing liabilities than interest-earning assets reprice or mature during a time when interest rates are rising. In addition, the mix of assets and liabilities could change as varying levels of market interest rates might present our customer base with more attractive options.

 

Loss of deposits or a change in deposit mix could increase our funding costs and adversely affect our performance.

 

Deposits are a low cost and stable source of funding. We compete with banks and other financial institutions for deposits and as a result, the Company could lose deposits in the future, clients may shift their deposits into higher cost products, or the Company may need to raise interest rates to avoid deposit attrition. Funding costs may also increase if deposits lost are replaced with wholesale funding. Higher funding costs reduce our net interest margin, net interest income, and net income. In recent months, the environment for maintaining and growing deposits has become more challenging. This is partially attributable to the FRB reducing the size of its balance sheet through quantitative tightening and continues to increase interest rates giving depositors an incentive to move deposits to money market funds and other higher-yielding alternatives. In addition, recent unusually high levels of withdrawals from other, larger banks, which in some cases has resulted in bank failure, may result in similar withdrawal patterns at the Company. Should we experience any of these events, we may need to rely on higher cost wholesale funding, which would adversely affect our financial performance and net income.

 

3

 

Our operations are growing at a rapid pace and our training programs and operational protocols may lag behind our growth.

 

Our branch network and government guaranteed lending operations are expanding at a rapid pace. As a result, we may not be able to provide comprehensive or timely training to staff.

 

We may also not develop appropriate operational protocols as we expand our products and services. If we fail to do so, our employees may not have a set of standards and expectations pursuant to which they perform their assigned duties. If we are not able to fully and promptly provide training to our employees, or develop appropriate protocols, our employees may be susceptible to mistakes, fail to recognize fraud or other weaknesses in our operations, or fail to recognize or mitigate other risks.

 

Changes in economic and political conditions could adversely affect our earnings through declines in deposits, loan demand, the ability of our customers to repay loans and the value of the collateral securing our loans.

 

Our success depends to a significant extent upon local and national economic and political conditions, as well as governmental fiscal and monetary policies. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, changes in interest rates, fiscal and monetary policy, an increasing federal government budget deficit, slowing gross domestic product, tariffs, a U.S. withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, trade wars, and other factors beyond our control may adversely affect our deposit levels and composition, the quality of investment securities available for purchase, demand for loans, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and the value of the collateral securing loans. Recent political developments in Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East, and South America may result in substantial changes in economic and political conditions for the U.S. and the remainder of the world. Disruptions in U.S. and global financial markets, and changes in oil production and supply in the those or other areas, also affect the economy and stock prices in the U.S., which can affect our earnings, capital, as well as the ability of our customers to repay loans.

 

We may not be able to retain or grow our core deposit base, which could adversely impact our funding costs.

 

We rely on client deposits as our primary source of funding for our lending activities. Our future growth will largely depend on our ability to retain and grow our core deposit base. Our retention and acquisition of customer deposits are subject to potentially dramatic fluctuations in availability or price due to certain factors outside of our control, such as increasing competitive pressures for deposits, changes in interest rates and returns on other investment classes, client perceptions of our financial health and general reputation, or a loss of confidence by clients in us or the banking sector generally. Such factors could result in significant outflows of deposits within short periods of time or significant changes in pricing necessary to maintain current client deposits or attract additional deposits. Additionally, any such loss of funds could result in lower loan originations or the need to sell investment securities at a loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

4

 

We are dependent on our management team and any of their departure, or subsequent employment with a competitor could adversely affect our operations.

 

Our growth and development are particularly dependent upon the personal efforts and abilities of our executive officers and other qualified personnel. The loss or unavailability of such officers or employees could have a material adverse effect on our operations and prospects. Such adverse effect may be magnified if any such officer or employee were to become employed with a competitor of ours.

 

We may engage in transactions with our directors and their related interests, which creates the potential for conflicts of interest.

 

From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into transactions with certain members of its Board of Directors for various professional and other services. Such insider transactions present reputational and corporate governance risks to Optimum and the Bank. Insider transactions often draw the scrutiny of regulators and shareholders. If they were to identify terms of the transactions, or aspects of the process through which we entered into them, that they deemed to be inappropriately unfavorable to Optimum or the Bank, such regulators or shareholders might take enforcement or legal action against us. Similarly, insider transactions may present an opportunity for taking advantage of Optimum or the Bank. If any such events were to occur, Optimum and the Bank may incur expenses or become engaged in time consuming enforcement or legal processes that could negatively affect our performance.

 

Our Internet-based systems and online commerce activities are subject to security threats that could adversely affect our business.

 

Third party, or internal, systems and networks may fail to operate properly or become disabled due to deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Our operations are vulnerable to disruptions from human error, natural disasters, power loss, computer viruses, spam attacks, denial of service attacks, unauthorized access, and other unforeseen events. Undiscovered data corruption could render our customer information inaccurate. These events may obstruct our ability to provide services, underwrite loans, and process transactions. Any such incident could put confidential customer information at risk, which may result in significant liability to us, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customers, cause us to incur significant expense to remediate any damage and inhibit current and potential customers from using our online banking services, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

5

 

A failure or breach, including cyberattacks, of our computer systems or other technologies could disrupt our business, result in the disclosure of confidential information, and create significant financial and legal exposure.

 

There is no assurance that our computer systems and other technologies will provide absolute security. In the case of a failure or breach of such systems, their functionality may be disabled. In addition, the confidentiality and integrity of our and our clients’ information may be compromised. Further, to access our products and services, our clients may use computers and mobile devices that are beyond our security systems. Our clients’ or our websites or systems may be subject to attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, or disable or sabotage services, often through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyberattacks, and other means.

 

Furthermore, the methods of cyberattacks change frequently and may not be recognized until or after launch. Therefore, we may not be able to anticipate or implement effective preventive measures against all possible security breaches. Any successful cyberattack or other security breach may result in the misappropriation, loss, or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer information. Such an event may also compromise our ability to function and could severely damage our reputation, erode confidence in the security of our systems, products, and services, expose us to the risk of litigation and liability, and disrupt our operations. Any successful cyberattack may subject us to regulatory investigations, litigation or enforcement, or require the payment of regulatory penalties or require us to undertake costly remediation efforts. All or any of these could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations and damage our reputation.

 

Changes in business and economic conditions, in particular those of the Florida markets in which we operate, could lead to lower asset quality and decreased earnings.

 

Unlike larger national or regional banks that are more geographically diversified, our business and earnings are closely tied to general business and economic conditions in our market area. The local economy is heavily influenced by tourism, real estate, and other service-based industries. Factors that could affect the local economy include declines in tourism, higher energy costs, reduced consumer or corporate spending, natural disasters or adverse weather and a significant decline in real estate values. A sustained economic downturn could adversely affect the quality of our assets, credit losses, and the demand for our products and services, which could lead to lower revenue and lower earnings.

 

Most expansion activities require approval of our regulators, which we may not be able to obtain, or that may impose conditions that we find to be unacceptable.

 

Branch openings, and other expansion activities, generally require the approval of our regulators. We may not be able to obtain such approvals if our regulators do not believe we are financially or managerially strong enough to integrate or manage such activities. In addition, our regulators consider our capital, liquidity, profitability, regulatory compliance, including with the Community Reinvestment Act and the Bank Secrecy Act, and levels of goodwill and intangibles when considering acquisition and expansion proposals. Our regulators may also impose conditions in approvals that we find to be unacceptable, prohibitive, or otherwise undesirable. In any of those instances, we may be unable or unwilling to consummate a transaction or undertake an expansionary activity.

 

6

 

We are subject to numerous laws designed to protect consumers, including the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties and have negative effects on our business.

 

The Community Reinvestment Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other fair lending laws and regulations impose obligations and nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. The banking regulators and the U.S. Department of Justice are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. A successful regulatory challenge to an institution’s performance under the Community Reinvestment Act or fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions, including damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, restrictions on branch expansion, merger and acquisition activity, and restrictions on entering new business lines. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge our performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects.

 

We may be required to make increases in our credit loss reserve and to charge off loans in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

The determination of the appropriate level of the credit loss reserve involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks, which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the credit loss reserve. In addition, our regulators periodically review our credit loss reserve and may request an increase in the provision for credit losses or the recognition of loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. Furthermore, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued a current expected credit loss rule, which requires us to record, at the time of origination, credit losses expected throughout the life of loans, held-to-maturity investment securities, and certain other assets and off-balance sheet credit exposures as opposed to the prior practice of recording losses when it is probable that a loss event has occurred. Also, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance, we will need additional provisions to increase the allowance, which would result in a decrease in net income and capital, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

If real estate values in our markets decline, we could experience losses upon foreclosure of the loan or sale of the real estate.

 

A material portion of our loan portfolio consists of mortgages secured by real estate located in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties, Florida. Real estate values in our market may decline due to changes in national, regional or local economic conditions; fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of loans to potential purchasers; changes in the tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations and policies; and acts of nature. If real estate values decline in our market, the value of the real estate collateral securing our loans will likely be reduced. Any reduction in the value of the collateral securing our loans could reduce the amount of money we could realize on the sale of any collateral and thereby adversely affect our financial performance.

 

7

 

Hurricanes or other adverse weather events, as well as climate change, could negatively affect our local economies or disrupt our operations, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Our market areas in Florida are susceptible to hurricanes, tropical storms, and related flooding and wind damage. Such weather events can disrupt operations, result in damage to properties and negatively affect the local economies in the markets where we operate. Such weather events could result in a decline in loan originations, a decline in the value, or destruction of properties securing our loans and an increase in delinquencies, foreclosures, or credit losses. Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected by these and other negative effects of future hurricanes, tropical storms, related flooding and wind damage and other similar weather events. Climate change may be increasing the severity and frequency of adverse weather conditions, making the impact from these types of natural disasters on us or customers worse.

 

Further, concerns over the long-term impacts of climate change have led and may continue to lead to governmental efforts around the world to mitigate those impacts. Investors, consumers, and businesses also may change their behavior on their own as a result of these concerns. The State of Florida could be disproportionately impacted by long-term climate changes. We and our customers may face cost increases, asset value reductions, and changes in supply or demand for products and services resulting from new laws, regulations, and changing consumer and investor preferences regarding responses to climate change.

 

The Florida property insurance market is in crises and our borrowers may have difficulty obtaining insurance, at reasonable rates or at all, on properties securing our loans, which may adversely affect the value of our collateral, the performance of our loan portfolio, and our ability to make loans secured by real estate.

 

Florida is susceptible to hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, and related flooding and wind damage, and other similar weather events. Such events can disrupt operations, result in damage to properties and negatively affect the local economies in our markets. As a result of the potential for such weather events, many of our customers have incurred significantly higher insurance premiums, and if rates continue to increase or carriers leave certain markets or limit their participation in such markets, may become unable to secure insurance at all, on their properties. Such difficulties currently exist primarily with respect to wind hazard coverage. Widespread inability to obtain insurance coverages may adversely affect real estate sales and values in our markets and leave our borrowers without funds to repay their loans in the event of destructive weather events. Such events could result in a decline in loan originations, a decline in the value or destruction of properties securing loans, and a decrease in credit quality. As of March 31, 2024, all real estate collateral is insured and at least to the levels required by our loan agreements. However, because approximately 75% of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate located within Florida, rate increases or borrowers’ inability to obtain insurance, could negatively impact our credit quality or ability to make loans, and, therefore, our business and results of operations.

 

Public health emergencies could hurt our business.

 

The COVID pandemic and the governmental and public response disrupted day-to-day life and the normal functioning of the domestic and global economy. Future developments or new emergencies will be highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the effectiveness of remote working arrangements, third party providers’ abilities to continue to support our and our customer’s operations, and any further actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties. Accordingly, public health crises could materially and adversely affect our business, operations, operating results, financial condition, liquidity or capital levels. Further, it is impossible to effectively predict future events relative to the nature, duration, or severity of recent events. Therefore, we cannot provide guidance as to the effect a global pandemic or other health crises may have on us, Florida, the remainder of the U.S., or the global economy.

 

8

 

Our real estate loan portfolios are exposed if weakness in the Florida real estate market or general economy arises.

 

As of March 31, 2024, approximately 66.13% of our net loan portfolio is secured by commercial real estate, and an additional 25.23% is secured by residential, multi-family, and land and construction real estate collateral located within Florida, Florida has historically experienced deeper recessions and more dramatic slowdowns in economic activity than other states and a decline in real estate values in Florida can be significantly larger than the national average. Declines in home prices and the volume of home sales in Florida, along with the reduced availability of certain types of mortgage credit, can result in increases in delinquencies and losses in our portfolios of home equity lines and loans, and commercial loans related to residential real estate acquisition, construction and development. Declines in home prices coupled with high or increased unemployment levels or increased interest rates can cause losses which adversely affect our earnings and financial condition, including our capital and liquidity.

 

We are subject to lending concentration risk.

 

Our loan portfolio contains certain industry and collateral concentrations including, but not limited to, commercial real estate generally and loans to secured nursing facilities, specifically. Due to the exposure in these concentrations, disruptions in markets, economic conditions, changes in laws or regulations or other events could cause a significant impact on the ability of borrowers to repay and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate, and events that negatively impact the real estate market could hurt our business.

 

A significant portion of our loan portfolios are secured by real estate. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 91.36% of such loans had real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral. The real estate collateral in each case provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower and may deteriorate in value during the time the credit is extended. According to Oxford Economics, Florida remains one of our strongest performing states for medium-term gross domestic product, job, and population growth and construction continues apace to meet growing demand. However, Oxford Economics cautions that the state’s high exposure to hurricanes and flooding have made insurance expensive and forced out some providers. We cannot assure investors that our local markets will continue to demonstrate such strong performance or not experience another economic decline or more significant issues insurance market. A degradation of these factors may have a greater negative effect on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of other financial institutions whose real estate loan portfolios are more geographically diverse. Any weakening of the real estate or insurance markets may increase the likelihood of default of these loans, which could negatively impact our loan portfolio’s performance and asset quality. Such a determination may lead to an additional increase in our allowance for credit losses, which could also adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

We have a large concentration of commercial real estate loans, which present significant risks that could negatively impact our ability to collect on such loans should property values decrease or the businesses occupying such real estate encounter problems.

 

Our commercial real estate loans at March 31, 2024, totaled 66.13% of our net loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans generally carry larger loan balances and can involve a greater degree of financial and credit risk than other loans. The increased financial and credit risk associated with these types of loans are a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the size of loan balances, the effects of general economic conditions on income-producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans.

 

Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate or commercial project. If the cash flows from the project are reduced, a borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. This cash flow shortage may result in the failure to make loan payments. In such cases, we may be compelled to modify the terms of the loan. In addition, the nature of these loans is such that they are generally less predictable and more difficult to evaluate and monitor. As a result, repayment of these loans may, to a greater extent than residential loans, be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or economy.

 

In response to these risks, we have taken certain mitigative actions. One such mitigant is subdividing our commercial real estate portfolio into 31 subclasses based on property type. We also have established internal lending limits by type of property, an relative to both our loan portfolio and capital. This permits us to analyze risk on a more granular level than commercial real estate generally.

 

The 31 subclasses are grouped within three broader categories (March 31, 2024 percentage of loan portfolio): (i) investor-owned commercial real estate (49.4%); (ii) owner-occupied commercial real estate (26.2%); and (iii) investor-owned rental real estate (9.9%). As of that same date, we had concentrations greater than 5% of our loan portfolio in six subclasses: (a) investor-owned flagged/branded hotels (12.6%); (b) owner-occupied healthcare (10.7%); (c) investor-owned offices (7.9%); (d) investor-owned retail centers (6.8%); (e) investor-owned non-flagged/branded hotels (6.5%); and (f) investor-owned single-family rentals (5.0%).

 

Our internal lending limits for each of the 31 subclasses range from 10% to 25% of our loan portfolio and from 100% to 200% of our capital. As of March 31, 2024, we exceeded our policy limit with respect to only investor-owned flagged/branded hotels, which represented 108% of our capital, relative to a 100% policy limit.

 

Another mitigant is performing quarterly stress tests on the portion of the portfolio that is scheduled to reprice within the following 18 months. In such cases, if the stressed debt coverage ratio is less than one-to-one, we then evaluate other factors such as the strength of the guarantor and begin working with borrowers and guarantors on their strategies for debt service and ultimate refinancing.

 

9

 

Our regulators are focused on commercial real estate lending, which could result in increased regulatory involvement in our business activities.

 

Banking regulators give greater scrutiny to lenders with a high concentration of commercial real estate loans in their portfolios, and such lenders are expected to implement stricter underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies and portfolio stress testing, as well as maintain higher capital levels and loss allowances. Concentrations in commercial real estate are monitored by regulatory agencies and subject to especially heightened scrutiny both on a public and confidential basis. To date, our regulators have not required us to maintain elevated levels of capital or liquidity due to commercial real estate loan concentrations. However, they could do so, especially if there is a downturn in our local real estate markets.

 

Our loans to skilled nursing facilities are dependent on their successful operation, the performance and financial capacity of their owners and operators, reimbursement from third parties, and other risks.

 

At March 31, 2024, 5.12% of our net loan portfolio was to owners and/or operators of skilled nursing facilities and were secured by such facilities. Therefore, we are exposed to various risks with respect to such loans. Significantly, such facilities face competition for patients and residents from other properties in the same or similar markets, which may affect their ability to attract and retain tenants and operators or may otherwise reduce their ability to make loan payments. If the facilities are unable to attract and retain profitable tenants and operators, their business, financial position, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected and our borrowers who own and operate such facilities may be unable to repay our loans.

 

Further, compliance with long-term healthcare industry regulations is labor intensive and expensive. The extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting the healthcare industry include those relating to, among other things, licensure, conduct of operations, ownership of facilities, addition of facilities and equipment, allowable costs, services, prices for services, qualified beneficiaries, quality of care, patient rights, fraudulent or abusive behavior, and financial and other arrangements that may be entered into by healthcare providers. If our skilled nursing facility borrowers fail to comply with such regulation, they could become ineligible to receive reimbursement from governmental and private third-party payor programs, face bans on admissions of new patients or residents, suffer civil or criminal penalties or be required to make significant changes to their operations. If such events were to occur, the ability of our borrowers or their tenants to operate their facilities profitably, with sufficient cash flow to repay their loans could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Other related risks include, but are not limited to, occupancy and private pay rates, labor availability, economic conditions, federal, state, local, and industry-regulated licensure, certification and inspection laws, regulations, and standards, the availability and increases in cost of general and professional liability insurance coverage, and lawsuits and other legal proceedings arising out of alleged actions by the owners or operations of such facilities. Should the operators or owners of these facilities encounter difficulty avoiding or mitigating the adverse impacts of these items could result in our borrower being unable to pay their loans as agreed or in material reduction to the value of our collateral.

 

Our borrowers or their tenants may also experience a reduction in reimbursement rates or practices from or by third-party payors, including insurance companies and Medicare and Medicaid, which would result in a reduction in our borrowers’ revenues. Although moderate reimbursement rate reductions may not affect our borrowers’ ability to meet their financial obligations to us, significant limits on reimbursement rates or on the services reimbursed could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial position or results of operations, which could materially adversely affect their ability to meet their financial obligations to us.

 

Our use of appraisals in deciding whether to make a loan secured by real property or how to value the loan in the future may not accurately describe the net value of the collateral that we can realize.

 

In considering whether to make a loan secured by real property, we generally require an appraisal of the property. However, an appraisal is only an estimate of the value of the property at the time the appraisal is made, and, as real estate values may fluctuate over relatively short periods of time, especially in times of heightened economic uncertainty, this estimate might not accurately describe the net value of the collateral after the loan has been closed. If the appraisal does not reflect the amount that may be obtained upon any sale or foreclosure of the property, we may not realize an amount equal to the indebtedness secured by the property. In addition, we rely on appraisals and other valuations to establish the value of foreclosed real estate and to determine certain loan impairments. If any of these valuations are inaccurate, our consolidated financial statements may not reflect the correct value of our foreclosed upon real estate, and our credit loss reserve may not accurately reflect loan impairments. Inaccurate valuations of properties could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

10

 

We operate in a highly competitive industry and market area.

 

We face substantial competition in all areas of our operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources than we do. Such competitors primarily include Internet banks and national, regional and community banks within the various markets we serve. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, savings and loan institutions, credit unions, mortgage companies, other finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, factoring companies and other financial intermediaries. The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes, as well as continued consolidation. Many of our competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Our success depends on our ability to compete successfully in our market area, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to do so.

 

We may face risks with respect to future expansion.

 

We may consider and enter into new lines of business or offer new products or services. We may acquire all or parts of other institutions and we may engage in additional de novo branch expansion. Expansion involves a number of risks, including the costs associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and merger partners, inaccurate estimates and judgments regarding credit, operations, management and market risks of the target institution, our ability to finance expansion, possible dilution to our existing shareholders, the diversion of our management’s attention to the negotiation of a transaction, the integration of the operations and personnel of combining businesses, and the possibility of unknown or contingent liabilities.

 

We may need additional capital in the future, but such capital may not be available when needed.

 

We may need to obtain additional debt or equity financing to fund future growth and meet our capital needs. We cannot guarantee that such financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If our financial performance is unsatisfactory or if negative economic events or disruptions in the capital markets occur, it may not be possible for us to find sources of sufficient capital for our business operations. If we are unable to obtain future financing, we may not have the resources available to fund our planned growth.

 

We are subject to government regulation and monetary policy that could constrain our growth and profitability.

 

We are subject to extensive federal government supervision and regulations that impose substantial limitations with respect to lending activities, purchases of investment securities, the payment of dividends, and many other aspects of our business. Many of these regulations are intended to protect depositors, the public, and the FDIC, but not our shareholders. The banking industry is heavily regulated. We are subject to examinations, supervision and comprehensive regulation by various federal and state agencies. Our compliance with these regulations is costly and restricts certain activities. The burden imposed by federal and state regulations puts banks at a competitive disadvantage compared to less regulated competitors such as finance companies, mortgage banking companies, and leasing companies. Federal economic and monetary policy may also affect our ability to attract deposits, make loans, and achieve our planned operating results. New laws and regulations may increase costs of regulatory compliance. Further, additional legislation and regulations that could significantly affect our power and authority, and operations may be enacted or adopted in the future which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

11

 

Legislation and regulatory proposals enacted in response to market and economic conditions may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Changes in the laws, regulations, and regulatory practices affecting the banking industry may increase our costs of doing business or otherwise adversely affect us and create competitive advantages for our competitors. For example, the Dodd-Frank Act in particular represented a significant overhaul of many aspects of the regulation of the financial services industry, some of which have yet to be implemented. In addition, because regulation of financial institutions changes regularly and is the subject of constant legislative debate, we cannot forecast how federal or state regulation of financial institutions may change in the future and impact our operations. Recent and forthcoming changes to banking regulations may impact the profitability of our business activities, require changes to some of our business practices, or otherwise adversely affect our business. These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements. It may also require us to hold higher levels of regulatory capital and/or liquidity and it may cause us to adjust our business strategy and limit our future business opportunities. We cannot predict the effects of future legislation and new or revised regulations on us, our competitors, or on the financial markets and economy, although they may significantly increase costs and impede the efficiency of our internal business processes.

 

Inflation could negatively impact our business and our profitability.

 

Significant or prolonged inflation may impact our profitability by negatively impacting our fixed costs and expenses, including increasing funding costs and executive and other employee compensation expense, and negatively impacting the demand for banking products and services. Additionally, inflation may lead to a decrease in client purchasing power and negatively affect the need or demand for loans or deposit accounts. If significant inflation continues, our business could also be negatively affected by, among other things, increased loan default and losses. If we experience such effects of inflation, our results of operations could suffer.

 

ESG risks could adversely affect our reputation and shareholder, employee, client and third party relationships.

 

As a publicly traded company, we face increasing public scrutiny related to ESG activities. If we fail to act responsibly in areas, such as DEI, environmental stewardship, human capital management, support for our local communities, corporate governance, and transparency, or fail to consider ESG factors in our business operations, our reputation may be adversely affected. Furthermore, as a result of the diversity of our clients and business partners, we may face negative publicity because of the identity of our clients or business partners and the public’s view of those entities. Additionally, we may face pressure to not do business in certain industries that are viewed as harmful to the environment or are otherwise negatively perceived, which could impact our growth. If we, or our clients or business partners, become the subject of such negative publicity, our ability to attract and retain clients, employees, and business partners, may be negatively impacted, which could affect our results of operation or growth prospects. Additionally, investors and shareholder advocates are increasing their emphasis on how corporations address ESG issues in their business strategies.

 

12

 

An economic downturn could have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, results of operations, and future growth.

 

We monitor market conditions and economic factors throughout, and beyond, our geographic markets. If economic conditions were to worsen nationally, regionally, or locally, we could experience a decline in credit quality and loan and deposit demand. Such declines could negatively affect our business and have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, results of operations, and future growth. In addition, international economic and political uncertainty could impact the U.S. financial markets by potentially suppressing stock prices, including ours, and adding to overall market volatility, which could adversely affect our business. The effects of any economic downturn on our business could continue for many years after the downturn is considered to have ended.

 

We may incur losses if asset values decline, including due to changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds.

 

We have a large portfolio of financial instruments, including loans and loan commitments, debt securities, and certain other assets and liabilities that we measure at fair value that are subject to valuation and impairment assessments. We determine these values based on applicable accounting guidance. For financial instruments measured at fair value, this requires us to base fair value on exit price and to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in fair value measurements. The fair values of financial instruments include adjustments for market liquidity, credit quality, and other transaction-specific factors, if appropriate. Gains or losses on these instruments can have a direct impact on our results of operations. Increases in interest rates or changes in spreads may adversely impact the fair value of loans or debt securities and, accordingly, for debt securities classified as available for sale, may adversely affect accumulated other comprehensive income and, thus, capital levels. These market factors also may adversely impact the value of debt securities we hold to meet regulatory liquidity requirements. Decreases in interest rates may increase prepayments of certain assets, and, therefore, may adversely affect net interest income.

 

Technological changes, including online and mobile banking, have the potential of disrupting our business model, and we may have fewer resources than many competitors to invest in technological improvements.

 

The financial services industry continues to undergo rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services, including mobile and online banking services. Changes in customer behaviors have increased the need to offer these options to our customers. In addition to serving clients better, the effective use of technology may increase efficiency and may enable financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to invest in and use technology to provide products and services that provide convenience to customers and to create additional efficiencies in our operations. We may need to make significant additional capital investments in technology in the future, and we may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services in a timely manner in response to changes in customer behaviors, thus adversely impacting our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements and banking regulators may permit emerging technology companies to engage in activities previously reserved to traditional commercial banks. Such competition could adversely affect our performance and results of operations.

 

13

 

Changes in accounting standards may affect our performance.

 

Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. From time to time, there are changes in the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and statements of operations. Future changes in financial accounting and reporting standards could require us to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, which could result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition or could even require us to restate prior period financial statements.

 

We face risks related to our operational, technological, and organizational infrastructure.

 

Our ability to grow and compete is dependent on our ability to build or acquire the necessary operational and technological infrastructure and to manage the cost of that infrastructure while we expand. Similar to other financial institutions, our operational risk can manifest itself in many ways, such as errors related to failed or inadequate processes, faulty or disabled computer systems, fraud by employees or outside persons, and exposure to external events. We are dependent on our operational infrastructure to help manage these risks. In addition, we are heavily dependent on the strength and capability of our technology systems, which we use both to interface with our customers and to manage our internal financial and other systems. Our ability to develop and deliver new products that meet the needs of our existing customers and attract new ones depends on the functionality of our technology systems.

 

Risks Related to Our Securities

 

A vibrant public trading market for our common stock has not and may not develop, which may hinder your ability to sell the common stock and may lower the market price of the stock.

 

Our common stock is quoted and traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “OPHC.” However, this listing has not yet resulted in a substantially liquid market for our common stock. We cannot be certain if or when such a market may develop. Accordingly, investors should consider the potential illiquid and long-term nature of an investment in our common stock. You may, therefore, be required to bear the risks of this investment for an indefinite period of time.

 

14

 

Shareholders may face dilution resulting from the issuance of common stock in the future.

 

We may issue common stock without shareholder approval, up to the number of authorized shares set forth in our Articles of Incorporation. Our Board may determine, from time to time, a need to obtain additional capital through the issuance of additional shares of common stock or other securities. There can be no assurance that such shares will be issued at prices or on terms better than or equal to historical prices or terms. The issuance of any additional shares of common stock by us in the future may result in a reduction of the book value or market price, if any, of the then-outstanding common stock. Issuance of additional shares of common stock will reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of our existing shareholders.

 

The price of our common stock could be volatile.

 

The market price of our common stock may be volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among other things: variations in our quarterly results of operations; recommendations by securities analysts; performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us; economic factors unrelated to our performance; general market conditions; and changes in government regulations. In addition, if the market for stocks in our industry, or the stock market in general, experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition, or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and a distraction to management.

 

An investment in our common stock is not an insured deposit.

 

An investment in our common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC. Investment in our common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described herein, and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire our common stock, you could lose some or all of your investment.

 

Owning our stock will not give you the right to participate in any future offerings of our capital stock and your ownership could be diluted.

 

As a shareholder, you are not automatically entitled to purchase additional shares of common stock in future issuances of our common stock; therefore, you may not be able to maintain your current percentage of ownership in Optimum. If we decide to issue additional shares of common stock or conduct an additional offering of stock, your ownership in Optimum could be diluted and your potential share of future profits may be reduced.

 

Management has broad discretion concerning the use of our capital.

 

We use our capital to maintain liquidity and to continue to support the growth of the Bank. This growth may include the opening of branch offices, increasing the size and volume of loans, or other such activities that may require additional capital. Capital may also be used to service our outstanding debt. Our management may determine that it is in the best interest of the Company or the Bank to apply our capital in a manner that is inconsistent with a shareholder’s wishes. Failure to use such funds effectively might harm your investment.

 

15

 

If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they do publish such reports but issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade our common stock, the price and trading volume of our common stock could decline.

 

The trading market for our common stock could be affected by whether and to what extent equity research analysts publish research or reports about us and our business. We cannot predict at this time whether any research analysts will cover us and our common stock or whether they will publish research and reports on us. The price of our stock could decline if one or more securities analysts downgrade our stock or if those analysts issue other unfavorable commentary or cease publishing reports about us. If any of the analysts who elect to cover us downgrade their recommendation with respect to our common stock, our stock price could decline rapidly. If any of these analysts ceases coverage of us, we could lose visibility in the market, which in turn could cause our common stock price or trading volume to decline and our common stock to be less liquid.

 

Our Board of Directors owns a significant percentage of our shares and will be able to make decisions to which you may be opposed.

 

Our directors and executive officers are expected to exert a significant influence on the election of Board members and on the direction of the Company. This influence could negatively affect the price of our shares or be inconsistent with other shareholders’ desires.

 

We have outstanding preferred stock and our Board may authorize the issuance of additional series of preferred stock.

 

We have a material amount of outstanding preferred stock. Additionally, our Articles of Incorporation provide that our Board of Directors may authorize additional series of preferred stock without shareholder approval. Accordingly, the issuance of new shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of the holders of shares of our common stock.

 

We are restricted by law and government policy in our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

 

Holders of shares of our capital stock are only entitled to receive such dividends as our Board may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. We have not declared cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so, and may never do so. This could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Additionally, our Articles of Incorporation provide that our Board of Directors may authorize and issue series of preferred stock without shareholder approval. Any preferred shares issued in the future may further restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on any junior stock, including the common stock.

 

We are also subject to state and federal statutory and regulatory limitations on our ability to pay dividends on our capital stock. For example, it is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of earnings, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs, asset quality and financial condition. Moreover, the Federal Reserve will closely scrutinize any dividend payout ratio exceeding 30% of after-tax net income. You should not purchase common stock if you will need or expect an investment that pays dividends.

 

16

 

We are an emerging growth company, and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to

 

We are a smaller reporting company and are exempt from certain disclosure requirements, which could make our common stock less attractive to potential investors.

 

We are a smaller reporting company, as defined under the Exchange Act, and may continue to be so after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. As a smaller reporting company, we will: (i) not be required and may not include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section in our proxy statements, (ii) provide only two years of financial statements; and (iii) not need to provide a table of selected financial data. We also will have other scaled disclosure requirements that are less comprehensive than issuers that are not smaller reporting companies which could make our common stock less attractive to potential investors. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and the price of our common stock may be more volatile.

 

Certain provisions of Florida and federal law may discourage or prevent a takeover of Optimum and result in a lower market price for our common stock.

 

Florida and federal law contain anti-takeover provisions that apply to us. These provisions could discourage potential buyers from seeking to acquire us in the future, even if the proposed transaction would allow shareholders to realize a premium for their shares and even if a majority of our shareholders wish to participate in such a transaction. As a result, these provisions could also adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

17

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We are not selling any securities in this offering. Therefore, we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the Selling Stockholders. The Selling Stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from any sales of the shares of our common stock offered hereby.

 

We will bear the out-of-pocket costs, expenses and fees incurred in connection with the registration of shares of our common stock to be sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant to this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, The Nasdaq Capital Market listing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our accountants. The Selling Stockholders will bear underwriting discounts, commissions, placement agent fees or other similar expenses payable with respect to their sales of shares of our common stock.

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

The shares of common stock being offered by the Selling Stockholders are those previously issued to the Selling Stockholders in the Private Placement. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the Selling Stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time.

 

The table below lists the Selling Stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the Selling Stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each Selling Stockholders identified in the first column, based on its ownership of the shares of common or preferred shares, as of June 30, 2024.

 

The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the Selling Stockholders.

 

In accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement with the Selling Stockholders, this prospectus generally covers the resale of the sum of the number of shares of common stock issued to the Selling Stockholders as described above. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares of common stock offered by the Selling Stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.

 

Neither the Selling Stockholders, nor any persons having control over the Selling Stockholders, have held any position or office with us or our affiliates within the last three years or have had a material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates within the past three years, other than as a result of the ownership of our shares.

 

18

 

Column 1		Column 2								Column 3				Column 4
Name and Address		Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to this Offering								Maximum Number of Shares to be Sold				Shares Beneficially Owned After this Offering
of Selling Shareholder		# of Shares				% of Class				in this Offering				# of Shares				% of Class
AB Financial Services Opportunities Master Fund L.P.1 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105			711,047				7.38	%			500,000				211,047				0.42	%
Rachel Eidelman 2012 Family Trust 4/A DTD 12/5/20122 8015 Daytona Drive St. Louis, MO 63105			40,000				0.42	%			40,000				0				0.00	%
EJF Financial Services Fund, LP3 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 410 Arlington, VA 22201			256,210				2.66	%			256,410				0				0.00	%
Richard A. Horstmann 109 Curacao Lane Bonita Springs, FL 34134			384,615				3.99	%			384,615				0				0.00	%
Linda Karasick 200 Old Palisade Road, T44 Fort Lee, NJ 07024			200,000				2.08	%			200,000				0				0.00	%

 

 

	(1)	Voting and dispositive control held by Michael Howard.
	(2)	Voting and dispositive control held by David Eidelman.
	(3)	Voting and dispositive control held by Emanuel J. Friedman.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Each Selling Stockholders of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded, or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. The Selling Stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:

 

	●	ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
	●	block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
	●	purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
	●	an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
	●	privately negotiated transactions;
	●	settlement of short sales;
	●	in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;
	●	through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
	●	a combination of any such methods of sale; or
	●	any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

19

 

The Selling Stockholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.

 

In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, the Selling Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Stockholders may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

 

The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholders has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.

 

The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company incident to the registration of the securities. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) such time as all of the Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement and this prospectus have been publicly sold by the Selling Stockholders and (ii) the date on which all Shares cease to be Registrable Securities (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Company shall notify the Selling Stockholders via email of the effectiveness of the registration statement within 24 hours of it becoming or being declared effective. The Company shall file a final prospectus with the Commission as required by Rule 424(b) and shall provide the Selling Stockholders with copies of the final prospectus to be used in connection with the sale or other disposition of the securities covered thereby. The Company shall promptly inform each Selling Stockholder in writing if, at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company does not satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 172 and, as a result thereof, the Selling Stockholder is required to deliver a prospectus in connection with any disposition of Registrable Securities.

 

20

 

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the common stock by the Selling Stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities being offered hereby and other certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Zwelling Law, PLLC, Boca Raton, Florida.

 

EXPERTS

 

Our consolidated financial statements appearing in our 2023 Form 10-K have been audited by Hacker, Johnson & Smith P.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given its authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

21

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

 

The following table sets forth all expenses to be paid by us in connection with this registration statement and the listing of our common stock. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee and the listing fee.

 

SEC registration fee			858.16
Legal fees and expenses			20,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses			10,000.00
Printing and miscellaneous expenses			10,000.00
Total			40,858.16

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

 

Under the FBCA, a corporation may indemnify its directors and officers against liability if the director or officer acted in good faith and with a reasonable belief that his actions were in the best interests of the corporation, or at least not adverse to the corporation’s best interests, and, in a criminal proceeding, if the individual had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct in question was unlawful. Under the FBCA, a corporation may not indemnify an officer or director against liability in connection with a claim by or in the right of the corporation in which such officer or director was adjudged liable to the corporation or in connection with any other proceeding in which the officer or director was adjudged liable for receiving an improper personal benefit. However, a corporation may indemnify against the reasonable expenses associated with such proceeding. A corporation may not indemnify against breaches of the duty of loyalty. The FBCA provides for mandatory indemnification against all reasonable expenses incurred in the successful defense of any claim made or threatened, regardless of whether such claim was by or in the right of the corporation, unless limited by the corporation’s articles of incorporation. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, regardless of whether the director or officer met the good faith and reasonable belief standards of conduct set out in the statute. Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation, officers of the corporation are also entitled to the benefit of the above statutory provisions. Consistent with Florida law, our bylaws provide for the indemnification of our directors or officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to our directors and officers, or to persons controlling us, pursuant to our Bylaws or Florida law, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

II-1

 

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

 

(a) Exhibit #		Exhibit Name
3.1		Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 11, 2004)
3.2		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated January 7, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024)
3.3		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated April 13, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024)
3.4		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated December 28, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024)
3.5		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated October 30, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024)
3.6		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated March 28, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024)
4.1		Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 11, 2004)
4.2		Description of Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024)
4.3		Form of stock certificate (incorporated by reference from Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed with the SEC on August 12, 2004)
5.1		Opinion of Zwelling Law, PLLC
23.1		Consent of Hacker, Johnson & Smith, PA
23.2		Consent of Zwelling Law, PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
101		Interactive Data File
107		Filing Fee Table

 

(b) Calculation of Filing Fee.

 

		Security Type		Security Class Title		Fee Calculation Rule				Amount Registered				Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit				Maximum Aggregate Offering Price				Fee Rate				Amount of Registration Fee
		Newly Registered Securities
Fees to Be Paid		-		-			-				-				-				-				-				-
Fees Previously Paid		Equity		Common Stock			Rule 457(c)				1,381,025			$	4.21			$	5,814,115			$	147.60			$	857.16

 

II-2

 

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

 

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

	(i)	To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
	(ii)	To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
	(iii)	To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§ 230.424(b) of this chapter) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

	(i)	Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) (§ 230.424(b)(3) of this chapter) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
	(ii)	Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) (§ 230.424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) of this chapter) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) (§ 230.415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) of this chapter) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date.

 

II-3

 

 

(iii)

If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

	(i)	Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§ 230.424 of this chapter);
	(ii)	Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
	(iii)	The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
	(iv)	Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6)

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-4

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Ft. Lauderdale, State of Florida, on July 8, 2024.

 

	OPTIMUMBANK HOLDINGS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Timothy Terry
		Timothy Terry
		Principal Executive Officer
	By:	/s/ Joel Klein
		Joel Klein
		Principal Financial Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Moishe Gubin Moishe Gubin		Director		July 8, 2024
/s/ Joel Klein Joel Klein		Principal Financial Officer and Director		July 8, 2024
/s/ Steven Newman Steven Newman		Director		July 8, 2024
/s/ Martin Schmidt Martin Schmidt		Director		July 8, 2024
/s/ Avi M. Zweling Avi M. Zwelling		Director		July 8, 2024
/s/ Michael Blisko Michael Blisko		Director		July 8, 2024
/s/ Thomas Procelli Thomas Procelli		Director		July 8, 2024

 

II-5

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

ZWELLING LAW, PLLC

 

Avi M. Zwelling

E-Mail: [redacted]

 

July 8, 2024

 

Board of Directors

OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.

2929 East Commercial Boulevard, Suite 303

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

 

Re: Amendment #2 to Registration Statement on Form S-3/A

 

Members of the Board:

 

We have acted as counsel to OptimumBank Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of 1,381.025 shares of common stock (the “Shares”) pursuant to an amendment to a registration statement on Form S-3/A (Registration No. 333-278970) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2024.

 

For purposes of providing the opinions contained herein, we have reviewed the Registration Statement and the corporate proceedings of the Company with respect to the authorization of the issuance of the Shares. We have also examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials, and other instruments and have conducted such other investigations of law and fact as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of our opinion. In our examination, we have assumed, without verification, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents and instruments submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to the originals of all documents and instruments submitted to us as certified or conformed copies.

 

This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.

 

Based on and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, it is our opinion that the Shares have been validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

 

The opinions which we render herein are limited to those matters governed by the laws of the State of Florida, including all Florida statutes and all Florida court decisions that affect the interpretation of such laws, in each case as of the date hereof. Our opinions expressed herein are as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement the opinions rendered herein should such laws be changed by legislative or regulatory action, judicial decision, or otherwise. We express no opinion as to compliance with the “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction and the opinions set forth herein are qualified in that respect.

 

 

Members of the Board

July 8, 2024

Page 2 of 2

 

This opinion letter is provided for use solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement and may not be used, circulated, quoted, or otherwise relied on for any other purpose without our express written consent. No opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the opinion expressly stated in the numbered clauses above.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

	Sincerely,
	Zwelling Law, PLLC
	By:	/s/ Avi Zwelling
AMZ/gg

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors

OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.

 

We hereby consent to the inclusion in Amendment #2 to Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-3 of OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) of our report, dated March 8, 2024, with respect to our audit of the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows, for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

HACKER, JOHNSON & SMITH PA

Tampa, Florida

July 5, 2024

 

 

 

Exhibit 107

 

		Security Type		Security Class Title		Fee Calculation Rule				Amount Registered				Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit				Maximum Aggregate Offering Price				Fee Rate				Amount of Registration Fee
		Newly Registered Securities
Fees to Be Paid		-		-			-				-				-				-				-				-
Fees Previously Paid		Equity		Common Stock			Rule 457(c)				1,381,025			$	4.21			$	5,814,115			$	147.60			$	857.16

 

 

 

---