Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

East West Bancorp, Inc. (referred to herein on an unconsolidated basis as “East West” and on a consolidated basis as the “Company”) is a registered bank holding company that offers a full range of banking services to individuals and businesses through its subsidiary bank, East West Bank and its subsidiaries (“East West Bank” or the “Bank”). The Bank is the Company’s principal asset. As of December 31, 2017, the Company operates over 130 locations worldwide including its headquarters, main administrative offices, branches and representative offices. In the U.S., the Bank’s corporate headquarters, main administrative offices and branches are located in California, Texas, New York, Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Nevada. In Greater China, East West’s presence includes full service branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shantou and Shenzhen, and representative offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Taipei and Xiamen.

Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation — The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”), applicable guidelines prescribed by regulatory authorities and general practices in the banking industry. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, income and expenses during the reporting period, and the related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain items on the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes for the prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2017 presentation.

Principles of Consolidation — The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of East West and its subsidiaries, as well as East West Bank. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. East West also has six wholly-owned subsidiaries that are statutory business trusts (the “Trusts”). In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, the Trusts are not included on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash items in transit, cash due from the Federal Reserve Bank and other financial institutions, and federal funds sold with original maturities up to three months.

Interest-bearing Deposits with Banks — Interest-bearing deposits with banks include cash placed with other banks with original maturities greater than three months and less than one year.

Resale Agreements and Repurchase Agreements — Resale agreements are recorded at the balances at which the securities are acquired. The Company’s policy is to monitor the market values of the underlying securities collateralizing the related receivable of the resale agreements, including accrued interest, and obtain collateral from or return collateral pledged to counterparties when appropriate. Repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the balances at which the securities are sold. The Company may have to provide additional collateral to the counterparties, or may receive collateral returned from counterparties, for the repurchase agreements when appropriate. The Company has elected to offset resale and repurchase transactions with the same counterparty on the Consolidated Balance Sheet when it has a legally enforceable master netting agreement and when the transactions are eligible for netting under ASC 210-20-45-11, Balance Sheet Offsetting: Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements.

Securities — The Company’s securities include various debt and marketable equity securities, and restricted equity securities. The Company classifies its debt and marketable equity securities as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity investment securities based on management’s intention on the date of the purchase. Predominantly all of the Company’s investment securities are held in connection with its asset-liability management objectives. Available-for-sale investment securities are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, are reported in other comprehensive income. The specific identification method is used in computing realized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities that were sold. Held-to-maturity debt securities that management has the intent and ability to hold until maturity are carried at amortized cost. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on investment securities are recorded as yield adjustments on such securities using the effective interest method.

For each reporting period, all securities that are in an unrealized loss position are analyzed as part of the Company’s ongoing assessment of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). In determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers the severity and duration of the decline in fair value, the length of time expected for recovery, the financial condition of the issuer, changes in the securities’ ratings and other qualitative factors, as well as whether the Company either plans to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost. When the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the amortized cost, the credit component of an OTTI of a debt security is recognized as OTTI loss on the Consolidated Statement of Income and the non-credit component is recognized in other comprehensive income. If the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the amortized cost, the full amount of the impairment loss is recognized as OTTI loss on the Consolidated Statement of Income. If there is an other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of any individual available-for-sale marketable equity security, the cost basis is reduced and the Company reclassifies the associated net unrealized loss out of other comprehensive income with a corresponding charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Restricted equity securities include Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stocks. The Federal Reserve Bank stock is required by law to be held as a condition of membership in the Federal Reserve System. The FHLB stock is required to obtain advances from FHLB. They are carried at cost as they do not have a readily determinable fair value.

Loans Held-for-Sale — Loans held-for-sale are carried at lower of cost or fair value. When a determination is made at the time of commitment to originate or purchase loans as held-for-investment, it is the Company’s intent to hold these loans to maturity or for the foreseeable future, subject to periodic review under the Company’s management evaluation processes, including asset/liability management and credit risk management. When the Company subsequently changes its intent to hold certain loans, the loans are transferred from the loans held-for-investment portfolio to the loans held-for-sale portfolio at the lower of cost or fair value. Any write-down in the carrying amount of the loan at the date of transfer is recorded as a charge-off. Loan origination fees on loans held-for-sale, net of certain costs in processing and closing the loans, are deferred until the time of sale and are included in the periodic determination of the lower of cost or fair value adjustments and/or the gain or loss recognized at the time of sale. If the loan or a portion of the loan cannot be sold, it is subsequently transferred back to the loans held-for-investment portfolio from the loans held-for-sale portfolio at lower of cost or fair value on the transfer date. A valuation allowance is established if the fair value of such loans is lower than their cost, with a corresponding charge to noninterest income.

Loans Held-for-Investment — Loans receivable that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are stated at their outstanding principal, reduced by an allowance for loan losses and net of deferred loan fees or costs on originated loans, unearned income, and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Nonrefundable fees and direct costs associated with the origination or purchase of loans are deferred and netted against outstanding loan balances. The deferred net loan fees and costs are recognized in interest income as an adjustment to yield over the loan term using the effective interest method or straight-line method. Discounts or premiums on purchased loans are accreted or amortized to interest income using the effective interest method or straight-line method over the remaining period to contractual maturity. Interest on loans is calculated using the simple-interest method on daily balances of the principal amounts outstanding. Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due. Loans are considered past due when contractually required principal or interest payments have not been made on the due dates. Loans are also placed on nonaccrual status when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that full collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain, regardless of the length of past due status. Once a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest accrual is discontinued and all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against interest income. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are reflected as a reduction of principal and not as interest income. A loan is returned to accrual status when the borrower has demonstrated a satisfactory payment trend subject to management’s assessment of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.

Troubled Debt Restructurings — A loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including a below-market change in the stated interest rate, a reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, an extension of the maturity date with a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate or note splits referred to as A/B note restructurings. Loans with contractual terms that have been modified as a TDR and are current at the time of restructuring may remain on accrual status if there is demonstrated performance prior to the restructuring and payment in full under the restructured terms is expected. Otherwise, the loans are placed on nonaccrual status and are reported as nonperforming, until the borrower demonstrates a sustained period of performance, generally six months, and the ability to repay the loan according to the contractual terms. If accruing TDRs cease to perform in accordance with their modified contractual terms, they are placed on nonaccrual status and reported as nonperforming TDRs. TDRs are included in the impaired loan quarterly valuation allowance process. Refer to Impaired Loans below for a complete discussion.

Impaired Loans — The Company’s loans are grouped into heterogeneous and homogeneous (mostly consumer loans) categories. Impaired loans are identified and evaluated for impairment on an individual basis. The Company’s impaired loans include predominantly non-purchased credit impaired (“non-PCI”) loans held-for-investment on nonaccrual status and any non-PCI loans modified as a TDR, designated either as performing or nonperforming. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all scheduled payments of principal or interest due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining and measuring loan impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of and the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as appropriate, at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent, less cost to sell. When the value of an impaired loan is less than the recorded investment and the loan is classified as nonperforming and uncollectible, the deficiency is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. If the loan is a performing TDR, the deficiency is included in the specific reserves of the allowance for loan losses, as appropriate. Payments received on impaired loans classified as nonperforming are not recognized in interest income, but are applied as a reduction to the principal outstanding.

Allowance for Credit Losses — The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for unfunded credit reserves. Unfunded credit reserves include reserves provided for unfunded lending commitments, unissued standby letters of credit and recourse obligations for loans sold. The allowance for loan losses is established as management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the Company’s lending activities. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by net charge-offs when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is probable. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated monthly by management based on management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans.

The allowance for loan losses on non-PCI loans consists of specific reserves and general reserves. The Company’s non-PCI loans fall into heterogeneous and homogeneous categories. Impaired loans are subject to specific reserves. Non-impaired loans are evaluated as part of the general reserves. General reserves are calculated by utilizing both quantitative and qualitative factors. There are different qualitative risks for the loans in each portfolio segment. Predominant risk characteristics of the commercial real estate (“CRE”) and multifamily residential loans, as well as single-family residential loans include the collateral and geographic locations of the properties collateralizing the loans. Predominant risk characteristics of the commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans include the global cash flows of the borrowers and guarantors, as well as the economic and market conditions. Predominant risk characteristics of home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”) include the real estate collateral securing the loans.

The Company also maintains an allowance for loan losses on purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans when there is deterioration in credit quality subsequent to acquisition. Based on the Company’s estimates of cash flows expected to be collected, the Company establishes an allowance for the PCI loans, with a charge to Provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

When determined uncollectible, it is the Company’s policy to promptly charge off the difference of the outstanding loan balance and the fair value of the collateral or the discounted value of expected cash flows. Recoveries are recorded when payment is received on loans that were previously charged off through the allowance for loan losses. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one segment of the loan portfolio does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other segments.

The allowance for unfunded credit reserves is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. The allowance for loan losses is reported separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, whereas the allowance for unfunded credit reserves is included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Provision for credit losses is reported on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans — Acquired loans are recorded at fair value as of acquisition date in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. A purchased loan is deemed to be credit impaired when there is evidence of credit deterioration since its origination and it is probable at the acquisition date that the Company would be unable to collect all contractually required payments and is accounted for under ASC 310-30, Receivables — Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Under ASC 310-30, loans are recorded at fair value at acquisition date, factoring in credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Accordingly, an allowance for loan losses is not carried over or recorded as of the acquisition date.

The amount of expected cash flows over the initial investment in the loan represents the “accretable yield,” which is recognized as interest income on a level yield basis over the life of the loan. The excess of total contractual cash flows over the cash flows expected to be received at origination is deemed the “nonaccretable difference.” In estimating the nonaccretable difference, the Company (a) calculates the contractual amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest payments (the “undiscounted contractual cash flows”) and (b) estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal and interest payments (the “undiscounted expected cash flows”). The cash flows expected over the life of the pools are estimated by an internal cash flows model that projects cash flows and calculates the carrying values of the pools, book yields, effective interest income and impairment, if any, based on pool level events. Assumptions such as cumulative loss rates, loss curves and prepayment speeds are utilized to calculate the expected cash flows. The difference between the undiscounted contractual cash flows and the undiscounted expected cash flows is the nonaccretable difference. Subsequent to the acquisition date, any increases in expected cash flows over the expected cash flows at purchase date in excess of fair value that are significant and probable are adjusted through the accretable yield on a prospective basis. Any subsequent decreases in expected cash flows over the expected cash flows at purchase date that are probable are recognized by a charge to the provision for loan losses. Any disposals of loans, including sales of loans, payments in full or foreclosures, result in the removal of the loan from the ASC 310-30 portfolio at the carrying amount.

Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Partnerships, Tax Credit and Other Investments, Net — The Company records the investments in qualified affordable housing partnerships using the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method, the Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the amortization on the Consolidated Statement of Income as a component of Income tax expense. The Company records investments in tax credit and other investments using either the equity method or cost method of accounting. The tax credits are recognized on the Consolidated Financial Statements to the extent they are utilized on the Company’s income tax returns in the year the credit arises under the flow-through method of accounting. The investments are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis, if an event occurs that would trigger potential impairment.

Premises and Equipment, Net — The Company’s premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. The ranges of estimated useful lives for the principal classes of assets are as follows:




Premises and Equipment		Useful Lives
Buildings and building improvements		25 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		3 to 7 years
Leasehold improvements		Term of lease or useful life, whichever is shorter

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired when the fair value, which is the expected undiscounted cash flows over the remaining useful life, is less than the net book value. The excess of the net book value over its fair value is charged as impairment loss to noninterest expense.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in an acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized and is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis, if an event occurs or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Core deposit intangibles, which represent the intangible value of depositor relationships resulting from deposit liabilities assumed in acquisitions, are amortized over the projected useful lives of the deposits, which is typically 7 to 15 years. Core deposit intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment on goodwill and core deposit intangibles is recognized by writing down the asset as a charge to noninterest expense to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value.

Derivatives — As part of its asset and liability management strategy, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risks. Derivatives utilized by the Company include swaps, forwards and option contracts. All derivative instruments are included in Other assets or Accrued Expense and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value. The related cash flows are recognized on the Cash flows from operating activities section on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company uses its accounting hedges based on the exposure being hedged as either fair value hedges or hedges of the net investments in certain foreign operations. Changes in fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges are reported in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Changes in fair value of derivatives used as hedges of the net investments in foreign operations, to the extent effective, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). The change in fair value attributable to the ineffective portion of the hedging instrument is recognized immediately in Noninterest income on the Consolidated Statement of Income. For all other derivatives, changes in fair value are recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

All derivatives designated as fair value hedges and hedges of the net investments in certain foreign operations are linked to specific hedged items or to groups of specific assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. To qualify as an accounting hedge under the hedge accounting rules (versus an economic hedge where hedge accounting is not sought), a derivative must be highly effective in offsetting the risk designated as being hedged. The Company formally documents its hedge relationships at inception, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction at the time the derivative contract is executed. Subsequent to inception, on a quarterly basis, the Company assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged items. Retroactive effectiveness is also assessed, as well as the continued expectation that the hedge will remain effective prospectively.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when (i) a derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value; (ii) a derivative expires, or is sold, terminated or exercised, or (iii) the Company determines that designation of a derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate. If a fair value hedge is discontinued, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Income. When the hedged net investment is either sold or substantially liquidated, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reclassified out of AOCI into Foreign exchange income on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The Company also offers various interest rate and foreign currency derivative products to customers, and enters into derivative transactions in due course. These transactions are not linked to specific assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet or to forecasted transactions in a hedge relationship and, therefore, do not qualify for hedge accounting. The contracts are marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period with changes in fair value recorded on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The Company holds a portfolio of warrants to purchase equity securities from both public and private companies that were obtained as part of the loan origination process. The warrants are accounted for as derivatives and recorded at fair value included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value with changes in fair value at each reporting period recorded on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Fair Value — Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and, in many cases, requires management to make a number of significant judgments. Based on the observable inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company classifies its assets and liabilities measured and disclosed at fair value in accordance with a three-level hierarchy (i.e., Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3) established under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. The Company records certain financial instruments, such as available-for-sale investment securities, and derivative assets and liabilities, at fair value on a recurring basis. Certain financial instruments, such as impaired loans and loans held-for-sale, are not carried at fair value each period but may require nonrecurring fair value adjustments due to lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. For additional information on the fair value, see Note 3 — Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company issues stock-based awards to certain employees, officers and directors, and accounts for the related costs in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505, Equity and ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the awards and expensed over the employee’s requisite service period.

The Company grants nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which include service conditions for vesting. Additionally, some of the Company’s RSUs contain performance goals and market conditions that are required to be met in order for the awards to vest. The stock option awards vest between three to four years from the grant date. RSAs vest ratably over three years, cliff vest after three years, or vest at a rate of 50% each at the fourth and fifth year of continued employment from the date of the grant. RSUs vest ratably over three years or cliff vest after three or five years of continued employment from the date of the grant. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is generally the maximum vesting period of the award. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. As a result of its adoption, all excess tax benefits and deficiencies on share-based payment awards are recognized within Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Before 2017, the tax benefits are recorded as increases to Additional paid-in capital on the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity.

The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the grant date. For time-based RSAs and RSUs, the grant-date fair value is measured at the fair value of the Company’s common stock as if the RSAs or RSUs are vested and issued on the date of grant. For performance-based RSAs and RSUs, the grant date fair value considers both performance and market conditions (where applicable). As stock-based compensation expense is estimated based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced by the expense related to awards expected to be forfeited. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and are reviewed semi-annually for reasonableness. If the estimated forfeitures are revised, a cumulative effect of changes in estimated forfeitures for current and prior periods is recognized in compensation expense in the period of change.

Income Taxes — The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns, foreign tax returns, and various combined and separate company state tax returns. The calculation of the Company's income tax provision and related tax accruals requires the use of estimates and judgments. Accrued income tax liabilities (assets) represent the estimated amounts due to (receivable from) the various taxing jurisdictions where the Company has established a business presence. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of existing temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax laws and rates and tax carryforwards. To the extent a deferred tax asset is no longer expected more likely than not to be realized, a valuation allowance is established. See Note 12 — Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of management’s assessment of evidence considered by the Company in establishing a valuation allowance.

The Company established an allowance for potential taxes, interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. This contingent reserve is estimated based on facts and circumstances, including the interpretation of existing law, new judicial or regulatory guidance, and the status of tax audits.

Earnings Per Share — Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period, plus common share equivalents calculated for warrants and RSUs outstanding using the treasury stock method. In prior years, the Company issued RSAs, which are unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. These RSAs are considered participating securities. Accordingly, the Company applied the two-class method in the computation of basic and diluted EPS when the RSAs were outstanding during 2015. RSUs do not contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends when granted.

Foreign Currency Translation — During the third quarter of 2015, the Company’s foreign subsidiary in China, East West Bank (China) Limited, changed its functional currency from U.S. dollar (“USD”) to Renminbi (“RMB”). As a result, assets and liabilities of this foreign subsidiary were translated, for consolidation purpose, from its functional currencies into USD using period-end spot foreign exchange rates. Revenues and expenses of this foreign subsidiary were translated, for consolidation purpose, from its functional currencies into USD at the transaction date foreign exchange rates. The effects of those translation adjustments are reported in Foreign currency translation adjustment account within Other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, along with any related hedged effects. For transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, including transactions denominated in the local currencies of foreign operations with the USD as their functional currency, the effects of changes in exchange rates are primarily reported on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships, to clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument in an existing hedging relationship would not be considered a termination of the derivative instrument or a change in a critical term of the hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria in ASC 815 continue to be met. This clarification applies to both cash flows and fair value hedging relationships. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments, which requires an entity to use a four-step decision model when assessing contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments to determine whether they are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. The Company adopted this guidance on a modified retrospective basis in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting, to eliminate the requirement for an investor to retroactively apply the equity method when its increase in ownership interest (or degree of influence) in an investee triggers equity method accounting. The amendments in ASU 2016-07 also require that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in AOCI at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2017. The changes that impacted the Company included a requirement that excess tax benefits and deficiencies be recognized as a component of Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income rather than Additional paid-in capital on the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity as required in the previous guidance. The adoption of this guidance results in increased volatility to the Company’s income tax expense, but does not have a material impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet or the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. The income tax expense volatility is dependent on the Company’s stock price on the dates the RSUs vest, which occur primarily in the first quarter of each year. Net excess tax benefits for RSUs of $4.8 million have been recognized by the Company as a component of Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income during the year ended December 31, 2017. The guidance also removes the impact of the excess tax benefits and deficiencies from the calculation of diluted EPS. In addition, ASU 2016-09 no longer requires a presentation of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as both an operating outflow and a financing inflow on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Instead, excess tax benefits and deficiencies are recorded along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. These changes to the guidance were applied on a prospective basis. The Company has also elected to retain its existing accounting policy election to estimate award forfeitures.

Accounting Standards Issued but not yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue for contracts to provide goods or services to customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The Company’s revenue is mainly comprised of net interest income and noninterest income. The scope of the guidance explicitly excludes net interest income, as well as other revenues from financial instruments such as loans, leases, securities and derivatives. Accordingly, the majority of the Company’s revenues will not be affected. The Company’s implementation efforts included the identification of revenue streams within the scope of the guidance, evaluation of the revenue contracts and existing revenue recognition policies. The Company’s evaluation indicates that the new standard will not impact the timing or measurement of its revenue recognition. The adoption of this new accounting standard does not have a material impact on its 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, which requires equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or consolidated, to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in net income, thus eliminating eligibility for the current available-for-sale category. Investments in Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock are not subject to this guidance and will continue to be presented at cost. The Company does not have a significant amount of equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Upon adoption, the Company’s investments in equity securities classified as available-for-sale will be accounted for at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reflected in earnings, where the amount of net unrealized gain or loss related to the available-for-sale equity securities portfolio will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. The Company expects to account for its cost method equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair value using the measurement alternative at cost less impairment, whereby impairment is based on a qualitative assessment. Any changes in the carrying value of such investments is adjusted through earnings for subsequent observable transactions in the same or similar investment. Upon adoption, the Company does not expect a significant transition adjustment for the accounting change related to its cost method equity investments. If an entity has elected the fair value option to measure liabilities, the guidance requires the portion of the change in the fair value of a liability resulting from credit risk to be presented in other comprehensive income. The Company does not have any financial liabilities accounted for under the fair value option. The guidance eliminates the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost. However, upon adoption, the Company must apply the exit-price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for disclosure purposes. For the guidance that is applicable to the Company, the accounting will be implemented on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2018, except for the guidance related to equity securities without readily determinable fair value, which should be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which is intended to increase transparency and comparability in the accounting for lease transactions. The guidance requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities for all leases with lease terms of more than 12 months on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and provide quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding key information about the leasing arrangements. For short-term leases with a term of 12 months or less, lessees can make a policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied using a modified retrospective transition method through a cumulative-effect adjustment. The Company has completed its review of its existing lease contracts and service contracts that may include embedded leases and is in the process of reviewing system requirements. The Company expects the adoption of ASU 2016-02 to result in additional assets and liabilities, as the Company will be required to recognize operating leases on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company does not expect a material impact to its recognition of operating lease expense on its Consolidated Statement of Income and is in the process of evaluating the impacts of adopting the new accounting guidance on its disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The new Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) impairment model applies to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loan receivables, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance sheet credit exposures. The CECL model utilizes a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. The expected credit losses are adjusted in each period for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The guidance should be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption. While the Company is still evaluating the impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company expects that ASU 2016-13 may result in an increase in the allowance for credit losses due to the following factors: 1) the allowance for credit losses provides for expected credit losses over the remaining expected life of the loan portfolio, and will consider expected future changes in macroeconomic conditions; 2) the nonaccretable difference on the PCI loans will be recognized as an allowance, offset by an increase in the carrying value of the PCI loans; and 3) an allowance may be established for estimated credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities. The amount of the increase will be impacted by the portfolio composition and quality, as well as the economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date. 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, and requires disclosure of the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination (i.e., by vintage year). The Company has begun its implementation efforts by identifying key interpretive issues, assessing its processes and identifying the data and system requirements against the new guidance to determine what modifications may be required.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, to provide guidance on eight specific issues related to classification on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in order to reduce diversity in practice. The specific issues cover cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; cash outflows for settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments that are not made soon after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests received in securitization transactions; and clarification regarding when no specific U.S. GAAP guidance exists and the sources of the cash flows are not separately identifiable, the classification should be based on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of the cash flows. ASU 2016-15 became effective on January 1, 2018. The guidance should be applied using a retrospective transition method. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires the Company to include those amounts that are deemed to be restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in its cash and cash equivalent balances on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In addition, the Company is required to explain the changes in the combined total of restricted and unrestricted balances on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. ASU 2016-18 became effective on January 1, 2018. The guidance should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 narrows the definition of a business by adding an initial screen to determine if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset or group of similar assets. If the screen is met, the set is not a business. ASU 2017-01 also specifies the minimum required inputs and processes necessary to be a business, and it removes the requirement to evaluate a market participant’s ability to replace missing elements when all of the inputs or processes that the seller used in operating a business were not obtained. ASU 2017-01 became effective on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements as the guidance is to be applied prospectively.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. An entity will no longer perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. Instead, impairment will be measured using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. The guidance also eliminates the requirements for any reporting units with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. ASU 2017-04 is effective on January 1, 2020 and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests with measurement dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the 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, which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. The guidance does not require any accounting changes for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life (to maturity) of the instrument. ASU 2017-08 is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied using a modified retrospective transition method, with the cumulative-effect adjustment recognized to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. ASU 2017-09 became effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The Company plans to adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 prospectively.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which better aligns the Company’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the description and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results, expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components, and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item on the Consolidated Financial Statements. ASU 2017-12 is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, the guidance will be applied using a retrospective transition method to any existing cash flows or net investment hedges through a cumulative-effect adjustment to AOCI to eliminate the separate measurement of ineffectiveness. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is applied prospectively. The Company has elected to early adopt ASU 2017-12 in the first quarter of 2018 and the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.