

NOTE 9	—	INVESTMENTS IN QUALIFIED AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS, TAX CREDIT AND OTHER INVESTMENTS, NET

The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) encourages banks to meet the credit needs of their communities for housing and other purposes, particularly in neighborhoods with low or moderate income. The Company invests in certain affordable housing limited partnerships that qualify for CRA credits. Such limited partnerships are formed to develop and operate apartment complexes designed as high-quality affordable housing for lower income tenants throughout the United States. Each of the partnerships must meet the regulatory requirements for affordable housing for a minimum 15-year compliance period to fully utilize the tax credits. In addition to affordable housing limited partnerships, the Company invests in new market tax credit projects that qualify for CRA credits and eligible projects that qualify for renewable energy and historic tax credits. Investments in renewable energy tax credits help promote the development of renewable energy sources, while the investments in historic tax credits promote the rehabilitation of historic buildings and economic revitalization of the surrounding areas.

Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Net

As discussed in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company adopted ASU 2014-01 on January 1, 2015 with retrospective application to all periods presented. Prior to adopting ASU 2014-01, the Company applied the equity method or the cost method of accounting depending on the ownership percentage and the influence the Company has on these limited partnerships. The amortization of the investments in affordable housing limited partnerships was previously presented under noninterest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Under the proportional amortization method, the Company now amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of income tax expense. The cumulative effect of the retrospective application of the change in amortization method was a $2.1 million increase in retained earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 1, 2014.

The following tables present the impact of the new accounting guidance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Income as of the periods indicated:




($ in thousands)	December 31, 2014
($ in thousands)	As Previously Reported		As Revised
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net	$	178,652	$	178,962
Other assets — deferred tax assets	$	384,367	$	389,601
Retained earnings	$	1,598,598	$	1,604,141




($ in thousands, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31,
	2014				2013
	As Previously Reported		As Revised		As Previously Reported		As Revised
Consolidated Statements of Income:
Noninterest expense — amortization of tax credit and other investments	$	75,660	$	44,092	$	27,268	$	5,973
Income before income taxes	$	415,455	$	447,023	$	425,850	$	447,146
Income taxes expense	$	72,972	$	101,145	$	130,805	$	153,822
Net income	$	342,483	$	345,878	$	295,045	$	293,324
Earnings Per Share:
Basic	$	2.39	$	2.42	$	2.11	$	2.10
Diluted	$	2.38	$	2.41	$	2.10	$	2.09

The following table presents the balances of the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net and related unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:




($ in thousands)	December 31,
($ in thousands)	2015		2014
Investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net	$	193,978	$	178,962
Accrued expenses and other liabilities — Unfunded commitments	$	61,525	$	43,311

The following table presents other information related to the Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, net for the periods indicated:




($ in thousands)	Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)	2015		2014		2013
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized	$	38,271	$	32,613	$	29,084
Amortization expense included in income tax expense	$	26,814	$	21,428	$	20,824

Investments in Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net

Investments in tax credit and other investments, net were $187.2 million and $110.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company is not the primary beneficiary in these partnerships and, therefore, is not required to consolidate its investments in tax credit and other investments on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Depending on the ownership percentage and the influence the Company has on the limited partnership, the Company applies either the equity method or cost method of accounting.

Total unfunded commitments for these investments were $113.2 million and $71.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of tax credit and other investments were $36.1 million, $44.1 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company’s unfunded commitments related to investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships, tax credit and other investments, net are estimated to be paid as follows:




Estimates For The Years Ending December 31,	Amount
	($ in thousands)
2016	$	84,456
2017	34,483
2018	20,645
2019	13,891
2020	15,418
Thereafter	5,828
Total	$	174,721