13.   Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may originate, fund, manage and service loans to shareholders. The underwriting process on these loans adheres to prevailing Company policy. The terms of such loans, including the interest rate, income, origination fees and other closing costs are the same as those applicable to loans made to unrelated third parties in the portfolio. As of September 30, 2022, and 2021, loans to known shareholders totaled $20,932,994 and $13,200,972, respectively. Interest income earned on these loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 totaled $1,248,826 and $573,446, respectively, and for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 totaled $416,275 and $252,050, respectively.

The wife of the Company’s chief executive officer was employed by the Company as its director of finance until the third quarter of 2022 when she retired. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, she was paid $62,865 and $85,634, respectively, as compensation from the Company. For the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the corresponding amounts were $2,115 and $29,250, respectively.

In December 2021, the Company hired the daughter of the Company’s chief executive officer to perform certain internal audit and compliance services. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, she received compensation of $35,727 and $106,327, respectively. In January 2022, the Company hired the step-daughter of the Company’s chief executive officer to perform executive assistant and administrative services. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, she received compensation of $8,313 and $43,929, respectively.