Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, OceanFirst Bank N.A. (the “Bank”) and OceanFirst Risk Management, Inc., and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, OceanFirst REIT Holdings, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiary OceanFirst Management Corp., and its wholly-owned subsidiary OceanFirst Realty Corp., OceanFirst Services, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary OFB Reinsurance, Ltd., 975 Holdings, LLC, Hooper Holdings, LLC., TRREO Holdings LLC, Casaba Real Estate Holdings Corporation, Cohensey Bridge, L.L.C. and Prosperis Financial, LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Business

The Bank provides a range of community banking services to customers through a network of branches and offices in central and southern New Jersey. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions; it is also subject to the regulations of certain regulatory agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with these accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, and the evaluation of securities and goodwill for other-than-temporary impairment. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions and loans of Federal funds. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Securities and Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Securities

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment on Securities

One of the significant estimates related to securities is the evaluation for other-than-temporary impairment. If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income as a component of gain (loss) on securities, net. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

The evaluation of securities for impairment is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties and is intended to determine whether declines in the estimated fair value of investments should be recognized in current period earnings. The risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, the issuer’s financial condition and/or future prospects, the effects of changes in interest rates or credit spreads and the expected recovery period.

On a quarterly basis the Company evaluates the securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment. Securities that are in an unrealized loss position are reviewed to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment is present based on certain quantitative factors. The primary factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: (a) the length of time and extent to which the estimated fair value has been less than cost or amortized cost and the expected recovery period of the security, (b) the financial condition, credit rating and future prospects of the issuer, (c) whether the debtor is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments and (d) whether the Company intends to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security.

Securities

Securities include securities held-to-maturity and securities available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification at the time of purchase. If management has the positive intent not to sell and the Company would not be required to sell prior to maturity, the securities are classified as held-to-maturity securities. Such securities are stated at amortized cost. During 2013, the Company transferred $536.0 million of previously designated available-for-sale securities to held-to-maturity designation at estimated fair value. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities as an investment until maturity or call. The securities transferred had an unrealized loss of $13.3 million at the time of transfer which continues to be reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of subsequent amortization, which is being recognized over the remaining life of the securities. Securities in the available-for-sale category are securities which the Company may sell prior to maturity as part of its asset/liability management strategy. Such securities are carried at estimated fair value and unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, are excluded from earnings, but are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and as part of comprehensive income. Discounts and premiums on securities are accreted or amortized using the level-yield method over the estimated lives of the securities, including the effect of prepayments. Gains or losses on the sale of such securities are included in other income using the specific identification method.

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable, other than loans held-for-sale, are stated at unpaid principal balance, plus unamortized premiums less unearned discounts, net of deferred loan origination and commitment fees and costs, and the allowance for loan losses.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and the net fee or cost is recognized in interest income using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the specifically identified loans, adjusted for actual prepayments. For each loan class, a loan is considered past due when a payment has not been received in accordance with the contractual terms. Loans which are more than 90 days past due, including impaired loans, and other loans in the process of foreclosure are placed on non-accrual status. Interest income previously accrued on these loans, but not yet received, is reversed in the current period. Any interest subsequently collected is credited to income in the period of recovery only after the full principal balance has been brought current. A loan is returned to accrual status when all amounts due have been received and the remaining principal balance is deemed collectible.

A loan is considered impaired when it is deemed probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company has defined the population of impaired loans to be all non-accrual commercial real estate, multi-family, land, construction and commercial and industrial loans in excess of $250,000. Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the estimated fair value of the collateral or the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, are specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio, except when they are modified in a trouble debt restructuring.

Loan losses are charged-off in the period the loans, or portion, thereof are deemed uncollectible, generally after the loan becomes 120 days delinquent. The Company will record a loan charge-off (including a partial charge-off) to reduce a loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, less cost to sell, if it is determined that it is probable that recovery will come primarily from the sale of the collateral.

Purchased credit-impaired (“PCI”) loans are acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality. PCI loans are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no allowance for loan losses. Interest income on loans acquired at a discount is based on the acquired loans’ expected cash flows. The acquired loans may be aggregated and accounted for as a pool of loans if the loans being aggregated have common risk characteristics. A pool is accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flow.

The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loans, or the “accretable yield”, is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of each pool. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the acquisition are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the pool over its remaining life, while decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment through a loss provision and an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Therefore, the allowance for loan losses on these impaired pools reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition (representing the present value of all cash flows that were expected at acquisition but currently are not expected to be received).

The Bank periodically evaluates the remaining contractual required payments due and estimates of cash flows expected to be collected. These evaluations require the continued use of key assumptions and estimates, similar to the initial estimate of fair value. Changes in the contractual required payments due and estimated cash flows expected to be collected may result in changes in the accretable yield and non-accretable difference or reclassifications between accretable yield and the non-accretable difference. For the pools with better than expected cash flows, the forecasted increase is recorded as an additional accretable yield that is recognized as a prospective increase to interest income on loans.

Loans Held-for-sale

Loans Held for Sale

The Company may sell part of its mortgage loan originations in order to manage interest rate risk and liquidity. Prior to 2017, the Bank had generally sold fixed-rate mortgage loans with final maturities in excess of 15 years. However, with few exceptions, since the beginning of 2017, the Bank generally retains newly originated mortgage loans in its portfolio.

In determining whether to retain mortgages, management considers the Company’s overall interest rate risk position, the volume of such loans, the loan yield and the types and amount of funding sources. The Company may also retain mortgage loan production in order to improve yields and increase balance sheet leverage.

In addition, management periodically considers the sale of commercial and other loans as part of its management of credit risk.

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of unpaid principal balance, net, or estimated fair value on an aggregate basis. Estimated fair value is determined based on bid quotations from securities dealers.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation account that reflects probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the Bank’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, current economic and regulatory conditions, as well as organizational changes. Additions to the allowance arise from charges to operations through the provision for loan losses or from the recovery of amounts previously charged-off. The allowance is reduced by loan charge-offs. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount management considers sufficient to provide for probable losses.

Acquired loans are marked to fair value on the date of acquisition and are evaluated on a quarterly basis to ensure the necessary purchase accounting updates are made in parallel with the allowance for loan loss calculation. Acquired loans that have been renewed since acquisition are included in the allowance for loan loss calculation since these loans have been underwritten to the Bank’s guidelines. Acquired loans that have not been renewed since acquisition, or that have a PCI mark, are excluded from the allowance for loan loss calculation. The Bank calculates a general valuation allowance for these excluded acquired loans without a PCI mark and compares that to the remaining general credit and interest rate marks. To the extent the remaining general credit and interest rate marks exceed the calculated general valuation allowance, no additional reserve is required. If the calculated general valuation allowance exceeds the remaining general credit and interest rate marks, the Bank would record an adjustment to the extent necessary.

The Bank’s allowance for loan losses includes specific allowances and a general allowance, each updated on a quarterly basis. A specific allowance is determined for all impaired loans (excluding PCI loans). The Bank defines an impaired loan as all non-accrual commercial real estate, multi-family, land, construction and commercial loans in excess of $250,000. Impaired loans also include all loans modified as troubled debt restructurings. For collateral dependent loans, the specific allowance represents the difference between the Bank’s recorded investment in the loan, net of any interim charge-offs, and the estimated fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs. Impairment for all other impaired loans is calculated using the present value of the expected future cash flows.

If a loan becomes 90 days delinquent, the Bank obtains an updated collateral appraisal. For residential real estate loans, the appraisal is updated annually if the loan remains delinquent for an extended period. For non-accrual commercial real estate loans, the Bank assesses whether there has likely been an adverse change in the collateral value supporting the loan. The Bank utilizes information based on its knowledge of changes in real estate conditions in its lending area to identify whether a possible deterioration of collateral value has occurred. Based on the severity of the changes in market conditions, management determines if an updated commercial real estate appraisal is warranted or if downward adjustments to the previous appraisal are warranted. If it is determined that the deterioration of the collateral value is significant enough to warrant ordering a new appraisal, an estimate of the downward adjustments to the existing appraised value is used in assessing if additional specific reserves are necessary until the updated appraisal is received.

A general allowance is determined for all loans that are not individually evaluated for impairment (excluding acquired loans that have not been renewed under the Bank’s underwriting criteria). In determining the level of the general allowance, the Bank segments the loan portfolio into the following portfolio segments: residential real estate; consumer; investor-owned commercial real estate; owner-occupied commercial real estate; and commercial and industrial.

The portfolio segments are further segmented by delinquency status or risk rating. An estimated loss factor is then applied to the outstanding principal loan balance of the delinquency status or risk rating category for each portfolio segment. To determine the loss factor, the Bank utilizes historical loss experience adjusted for certain qualitative factors and the loss emergence period.

The Bank’s historical loss experience is based on a rolling 24-month look-back period for each portfolio segment. The look-back period was selected based on (1) management’s judgment that this period captures sufficient loss events (in both dollar terms and number of individual events) to be relevant; and (2) that the Bank’s underwriting criteria and risk characteristics have remained relatively stable throughout this period.

The historical loss experience is adjusted for certain qualitative factors including, but not limited to, (1) delinquency trends, (2) net charge-off trends, (3) nature and volume of the loan portfolio, (4) loan policies and underwriting standards, (5) experience and ability of lending personnel, (6) concentrations of credit, (7) loan review system, and external factors such as (8) changes in current economic conditions, (9) local competition and (10) regulation. Economic factors that the Bank considers in its estimate of the allowance for loan losses include: local and regional trends in economic growth, unemployment and real estate values. The Bank considers the applicability of each of these qualitative factors in estimating the general allowance for each portfolio segment. Each quarter, the Bank considers the current conditions for each of the qualitative factors, as well as a forward looking view on trends and events, to support an assessment unique to each portfolio segment.

The Bank calculates and analyzes the loss emergence period on an annual basis or more frequently if conditions warrant. The Bank’s methodology is to use loss events in the past eight quarters to determine the loss emergence period for each loan segment. The loss emergence period is specific to each portfolio segment. It represents the amount of time that has elapsed between (1) the occurrence of a loss event, which resulted in a potential loss and (2) the confirmation of the potential loss, when the Bank records an initial charge-off or downgrades the risk-rating of the loan to substandard.

The Bank also maintains an unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses. The primary purpose of the unallocated component is to account for the inherent factors that cannot be practically assigned to individual loss categories, including the periodic update of appraisals, subjectivity of the Bank’s credit review and risk rating process, and economic conditions that may not be fully captured in the Bank’s loss history or qualitative factors.

Upon completion of the aforementioned procedures, an overall management review is performed including ratio analyses to identify divergent trends compared with the Bank’s own historical loss experience, the historical loss experience of the Bank’s peer group and management’s understanding of general regulatory expectations. Based on that review, management may identify issues or factors that previously had not been considered in the estimation process, which may warrant further analysis or adjustments to estimated loss or qualitative factors applied in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses.

Reserve for Repurchased Loans and Loss Sharing Obligations

The reserve for repurchased loans and loss sharing obligations relates to potential losses on loans sold which may have to be repurchased due to a violation of representations and warranties and an estimate of the Bank’s obligation under a loss sharing arrangement for loans sold to the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) as well as the potential repair requests for guaranteed loans sold to the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Provisions for losses are charged to gain on sale of loans and credited to the reserve while actual losses are charged to the reserve. The reserve represents the Company’s estimate of the total losses expected to occur and is considered to be adequate by management based upon the Company’s evaluation of the potential exposure related to the loan sale agreements over the period of repurchase risk. The reserve for repurchased loans and loss sharing obligations is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as well as SBA repair requests.

Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO")

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) is carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When a property is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over estimated fair value is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Operating results from other real estate owned, including rental income, operating expenses, gains and losses realized from the sales of other real estate owned and subsequent write-downs are recorded as incurred.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost and premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization or, in the case of acquired premises, the value on the acquisition date. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or leases. Generally, depreciable lives are as follows: computer equipment: 3 years; furniture, fixtures and other electronic equipment: 5 years; building improvements: 10 years; and buildings: 30 years. Repair and maintenance items are expensed and improvements are capitalized. Gains and losses on dispositions are reflected in current operations.

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Any interest and penalties on taxes payable are included as part of the provision for income taxes.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes items recorded directly in equity, such as unrealized gains or losses on securities available-for-sale and accretion of unrealized loss on securities reclassified to held-to-maturity.

Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI")

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) is accounted for using the cash surrender value method and is recorded at its realizable value. Part of the Company’s BOLI is invested in a separate account insurance product which is invested in a fixed income portfolio. The separate account includes stable value protection which maintains realizable value at book value with investment gains and losses amortized over future periods. Increases in cash surrender value are included in other non-interest income, while proceeds from death benefits are generally recorded as a reduction to the carrying value.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting consist of goodwill and core deposit intangible. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of identifiable net assets acquired through purchase acquisitions. Goodwill with an indefinite useful life is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment between annual measurement dates. The Company prepares a qualitative assessment in determining whether goodwill may be impaired. The factors considered in the assessment include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions and overall financial performance of the Company, among others. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2018. Based upon its qualitative assessment of goodwill, the Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired and no further quantitative analysis was warranted.

Segment Reporting

The Company’s operations are solely in the financial services industry and include providing traditional banking and other financial services to its customers. The Company operates primarily in the geographical regions of central and southern New Jersey. Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of the Bank’s consolidated financial results. Therefore, the Company has a single operating segment for financial reporting purposes.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus potential common stock, utilizing the treasury stock method. All share amounts exclude unallocated shares of stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and the Incentive Plan.

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU” or “Update”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” and subsequent related Updates modifies the guidance used to recognize revenue from contracts with customers for transfers of goods or services and transfers of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other guidance. The Updates also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures, including disaggregation of revenues and descriptions of performance obligations. The amendments in this update were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and all subsequent amendments to the ASU (collectively, “ASC 606”). The majority of the Company’s revenues are not subject to ASC 606, including revenue generated from financial instruments, such as interest and dividend income, including loans and securities, as these activities are subject to other U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Revenue generating activities that are within the scope of ASC 606 are presented within non-interest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer. Descriptions of revenue generating activities that are within the scope of ASC 606, which are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income as components of other income are as follows:

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Bankcard services revenue - The Company generates other non-interest income from Bankcard services, which includes interchange revenue and merchant services revenue. The calculation of the revenue collected is based on customer transactions, which do not have a fixed duration. When there is a transaction, the performance obligation is fulfilled. The Company recognizes revenue per underlying transaction and recognizes the revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time.

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Wealth management revenue - The Company provides customers with sound financial solutions and comprehensive wealth management products. Wealth management accounts earn minimum annual fees and may earn additional fees and service charges. Fees and service charges from wealth management accounts may include numerous fees such as Bill Pay fees, extraordinary service fees, unique asset fees, and transaction fees. The Company will recognize the fee when received because the Company provided the service to its customer at that time, and has no future performance obligation. Therefore, each month the Company will accrue and recognize the monthly portion of the minimum annual fee as a result of providing advisory services. If a customer utilizes additional services such as a wire transfer or bill pay, or any other advisory service outlined in their respective agreements, the Company will recognize revenue at that time, since there are no future performance obligations during the existing contract.

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Fees and service charges - The Company has multiple types of deposit accounts that may earn fees and service charges. Fees and service charges from deposit accounts represent general service fees for monthly account maintenance and activity-or-transaction-based fees and consist of transaction-based revenue, time-based revenue (service period), item-based revenue or some other individual attributebased revenue. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally monthly for account maintenance services or when a transaction has been completed (such as a wire transfer). Payment for such performance obligations are typically received at the time the performance obligations are satisfied.

The Company adopted the ASU using the modified retrospective method as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not result in a change to the accounting for any of the in-scope revenue streams; as such no cumulative effect adjustment was recorded on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The main objective in developing this new ASU is to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more useful information. The update requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. It simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a quantitative assessment to identify impairment. The amendment eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. It requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. Financial assets and financial liabilities are to be presented separately by measurement category and the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities should be evaluated with other deferred tax assets. The amendments in this update were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this ASU in its entirety on January 1, 2018, and has appropriately reflected the changes throughout the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this ASU resulted in an impact to retained earnings and other comprehensive income of $147,000.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This ASU requires all lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset, measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments, at the lease commencement date. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged under the new guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective approach must be applied for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company has begun its evaluation of the amended guidance including the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements. To date, the Company has identified its leased real estate as within the scope of the guidance and continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance, including determining whether other contracts exist that are deemed to be in scope. The Company expects total assets and total liabilities will increase by similar amounts. Upon adoption, the Company expects total assets and total liability to increase by similar amounts within a range of $18 million to $22 million.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren’t measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. The new model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, will apply to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities. For AFS debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to what they do today, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to estimated credit losses immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as they do today. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. ASU 2016-13 also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (i.e., modified retrospective approach). The Company has begun its evaluation of the amended guidance including the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements. As a result of the required change in approach toward determining estimated credit losses from the current “incurred loss” model to one based on estimated cash flows over a loan’s contractual life, adjusted for prepayments (a “life of loan” model), the Company expects that the new guidance will result in an increase in the allowance for loan losses, particularly for longer duration loan portfolios. The Company also expects that the new guidance may result in an allowance for debt securities. In both cases, the Company has not yet determined the extent of the change as it will be dependent upon portfolio composition and credit quality at the adoption date, as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” This ASU narrows the definition of a business and clarifies that, to be considered a business, the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) may not be substantially all concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar assets. In addition, in order to be considered a business, a set of activities and assets must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. This ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption was permitted on a limited basis. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This ASU intends to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The ASU also eliminates the requirement for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. ASU No. 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted for annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this update will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) - Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” This ASU requires the amortization of premiums to the earliest call date on debt securities with call features that are explicit, noncontingent and callable at fixed prices and on preset dates. This ASU does not impact securities held as a discount, as the discount continues to be amortized to the contractual maturity. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” The amendments in this ASU was issued to better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. As a result, the amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. Current GAAP contains limitations on how an entity can designate the hedged risk in certain cash flow and fair value hedging relationships. To address those current limitations, the amendments in this ASU permit hedge accounting for risk components in hedging relationships involving nonfinancial risk and interest rate risk. In addition, the amendments in this ASU change the guidance for designating fair value hedges of interest rate risk and for measuring the change in fair value of the hedged item in fair value hedges of interest rate risk. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not enter into derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments and as such, the adoption of this ASU will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU was issued to address a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) on December 22, 2017. The objective of ASU 2018-02 is to address the tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income (referred to as “stranded tax effects”) that do not reflect the appropriate tax rate enacted in the Tax Reform. As a result, the ASU 2018-02 allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate of 35 percent and the newly enacted corporate income tax rate of 21 percent. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The amendments in this ASU may be applied retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Reform is recognized. The Company has early adopted ASU 2018-02 for the year ended December 31, 2017, and has elected not to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Reform from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. Refer to Note 10 Income Taxes for further details.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU updates the disclosure requirements on Fair Value measurements by 1) removing: the disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements; 2) modifying: disclosures for timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and disclosures for uncertainty in measurement as of reporting date; and 3) adding: disclosures for changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring level 3 fair value measurements and disclosures for the range and weighted average of the significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted to any removed or modified disclosures and delay adoption of additional disclosures until the effective date. With the exception of the following, which should be applied prospectively, disclosures relating to changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the disclosures for uncertainty measurement, all other changes should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon the effective date. The adoption of this update will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.