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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Financial Information

Basis of Financial Information

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial information and accordingly do not include all information and note disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. The financial statements in this Form 10-Q, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of CIT’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 ("2019 Form 10-K").

The accounting and financial reporting policies of CIT conform to GAAP and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements is in conformity with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Some of the more significant estimates include: Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”), realizability of deferred tax assets, and goodwill. Additionally, where applicable, the policies conform to accounting and reporting guidelines prescribed by bank regulatory authorities.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include financial information related to CIT and its majority-owned subsidiaries and those variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is the primary beneficiary (“PB”).

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, all significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The current period’s results of operations do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year as a whole.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations

There were no discontinued operations as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. See further discussion in Note 2 – Acquisition and Discontinued Operations.

Acquisition

Acquisition

On January 1, 2020, CIT acquired Mutual of Omaha Bank (“MOB”), the savings bank subsidiary of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company and Omaha Financial Holdings, Inc. (“OFHI”) for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock (the “MOB Acquisition” or “MOB Transaction”).  

The results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 include the activity of MOB whereas no MOB activity for the comparable March 31, 2019 quarter is included. See further discussion in Note 2 – Acquisition and Discontinued Operations. 

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) and Interagency Statement

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and Interagency Statement

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law. Section 4013 of the CARES Act gives financial institutions temporary relief from the accounting and disclosure requirements related to troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) under ASC 310-40 and past due and non-accrual reporting in certain situations. Under the CARES Act, banks may elect to deem that loan modifications do not result in TDRs if they are: (1) related to the novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) pandemic; (2) executed on a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019; and (3) executed between March 1, 2020, and the earlier of (A) 60 days after the date of termination of the national emergency declared by the President under the National Emergencies Act with respect to COVID-19 (the “National Emergency”) or (B) December 31, 2020. With respect to past due and non-accrual

loans, the CARES Act provides that financial institutions are not expected to designate loans with payment accommodations granted due to COVID-19 as past due or non-accrual if they were current on the date used to determine borrower’s delinquency status for the purpose of providing the deferment.

Additionally, on April 7, 2020, a group of federal and state government banking agencies issued an Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) (the “Interagency Statement”) that offers some practical expedients for evaluating whether loan modifications that occur in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are TDRs. The Interagency Statement indicates that a lender can conclude that a borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty if either (1) short-term (e.g., six months or less) modifications are made in response to COVID-19, such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant related to loans in which the borrower is less than 30 days past due on its contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented, or (2) the modification or deferral program is mandated by the federal government or a state government (e.g., a state program that requires all institutions within that state to suspend mortgage payments for a specified period). The Interagency Statement interprets, but does not suspend, ASC 310-40 as any loan modification made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that meets either of these practical expedients would not be considered a TDR because the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty. As provided for under the CARES Act, a financial institution may account for an eligible loan modification either under Section 4013 or in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-40. The Interagency Statement provides that with respect to loans not otherwise reportable as past due, financial institutions are not expected to designate loans with deferrals granted due to COVID-19 as past due because of the deferral, and that “each financial institution should refer to the applicable regulatory reporting instructions, as well as its internal accounting policies, to determine if loans to stressed borrowers should be reported as non-accrual assets in regulatory reports.” However, during the short-term arrangements discussed in the Interagency Statement, these current loans generally should not be reported as non-accrual.

CIT intends to apply the TDR provisions of the CARES Act on a product-type basis, or on a loan-by-loan basis, for eligible loan modifications. For eligible loans for which the CARES Act is not applied, CIT intends to follow the applicable guidance of the Interagency Statement. For such deferrals, CIT has elected to continue to recognize interest income (at a modified effective rate) subject to consideration of whether the loan should be placed on non-accrual status.

ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)

ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)

On January 1, 2020, CIT adopted ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and subsequent related ASUs. Topic 326 introduces a forward-looking “expected loss” model (the “Current Expected Credit Losses” or “CECL” model) to estimate credit losses over the full remaining expected life of the portfolio upon adoption, rather than the incurred loss model under legacy GAAP. Estimates of expected credit losses (“ECL”) under the CECL model are based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts regarding the collectability of reported amounts. The CECL model is applicable to financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures where CIT has contractual obligations to extend credit and such obligations are not unconditionally cancelable by CIT. In addition, Topic 326 amends accounting for available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities to incorporate an allowance, which allows for reversals of impairment losses if the credit of an issuer improves. Such changes require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on AFS debt securities that management does not intend to sell or for which the Company believes it is “more likely than not” that it will not be required to sell.

ASU 2016-13 was adopted using a modified-retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. As of January 1, 2020, retained earnings was decreased by $82.4 million due to the adoption of this new standard. Comparative prior period financial information was not adjusted and will continue to be reported under previously applicable accounting guidance.

Allowance Methodology

Allowance Methodology  

Topic 326 requires estimating and recognizing expected credit losses over the remaining expected life for applicable financial assets. However, the standard does not prescribe a specific credit loss methodology, requiring CIT to use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate, as long as they are applied consistently over time. Determining an appropriate ACL requires significant judgment that may change based on management’s ongoing process for analyzing the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio.

Loans are first bifurcated between commercial and consumer loans. CIT then estimates the ACL for financial assets with similar risk characteristics on a collective basis. A financial asset is measured individually only if it does not share similar risk characteristics with other financial assets. The ACL for AFS debt securities is estimated by using the discounted cash flow method, which reflects the differences between the amortized cost basis and the present value of the principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected. The ACL for loans is estimated by using a method other than a discounted cash flow method, and therefore reflects CIT’s expected credit losses on the amortized cost basis of the financial assets as of the reporting date. The estimate of ACL is based on relevant information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable

forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amounts. CIT utilizes a forecast that extends over the contractual term of the loans, and which CIT considers reasonable and supportable for the life of the loan. This forecast uses historical information and takes into consideration current conditions and economic expectations before converging to a long-run trend.

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. At the reporting date, CIT records an ACL on the amortized cost of financial assets, including purchased financial assets. Any changes in the current estimate of the ACL from the estimated ACL previously recorded are reported in net income as provision for credit losses expense or reversal of provision for credit losses.

Amortized cost basis is defined as the amount at which a loan or investment is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accrued interest, accretion, or amortization of premium, discount, and net deferred fees or costs, collection of cash, write-offs, foreign exchange, and fair value hedge accounting adjustments.

Accrued interest is separately reported from the loan’s amortized cost basis as Accrued Interest Receivable within Other Assets. The total amount that is excluded from the amortized cost basis is disclosed in Note 3 Loans. As permitted by CECL, the Company has elected not to measure an ACL for accrued interest receivable, rather, all previously accrued but uncollected interest is reversed and charged against interest income when an account is placed on non-accrual status (for commercial loans) or is contractually delinquent for 90 days or more (for consumer mortgages and small ticket commercial loans).  

Commercial Loans

With respect to commercial loans, the Company monitors various factors, including expected and historical losses and levels of, and trends in, past due loans, non-performing assets, collateral values and economic conditions. These risk factors are considered when Commercial Loans are graded according to the Company’s internal rating system with respect to probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) (severity). The PD and severity are derived through historical observations of default and subsequent losses within each risk grading. Credit quality indicators used in determining risk ratings are monitored and updated at least annually. CECL models are employed to develop a lifetime PD which is used to establish the ACL for financial assets that are measured on a collective basis. These models utilize external and internal historical loan performance data together with historical macroeconomic data to identify correlations and select macro variables such as unemployment rate and gross domestic product growth rate that would be appropriate predictors of loan losses in the future to determine the ACL. See Note 3 – Loans for additional information regarding credit quality indicators. For individually reviewed financial assets, see detail provided in the Individually Reviewed Loans section below.

Consumer Loans

With respect to consumer loans, there are two main single family residential (“SFR”) loan portfolios – a consumer lending mortgage portfolio that includes new business originations and purchases, and a run-off portfolio that was acquired in 2015 as part of the OneWest acquisition (within the LCM division). For SFR loans, the Company monitors loan performance metrics, including delinquency and non-accrual status, and credit quality risk indicators such as the Loan-to-Value Ratio (“LTV”) of the underlying collateral and the credit score developed by the Fair, Isaac and Company (the “FICO score”) of borrowers excluding government insured loans (refer to Zero Loss Assumption section below). LTV refers to the ratio comparing the loan's unpaid principal balance to the property's current collateral value as an indicator of the potential loss severity in the event of default. The Company periodically updates the property values of real estate collateral (for home equity and residential mortgages) to calculate current LTV ratios, adjusted based on home price indices compiled by the Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, or more often if events require (e.g., a loan secured by the collateral is placed on non-accrual). The Company examines LTV migration and stratifies LTV into categories to monitor the risk in the loan classes. The borrower’s current or “refreshed” FICO score, which is obtained at least quarterly, is a secondary credit quality indicator for certain loans, as FICO scores are an indication of the borrower’s credit payment history. Thus, a loan to a borrower with a low FICO score (less than 660) is considered to be of higher risk than a loan to a borrower with a higher FICO score. Further, a loan to a borrower with a high LTV ratio and a low FICO score is at greater risk of default than a loan to a borrower that has both a high LTV ratio and a high FICO score. For consumer loans that are evaluated collectively, ACL and cash flow projections are developed with models that utilize historical loan performance data together with historical macroeconomic data to identify correlations and select macro variables that would be appropriate in estimating future loan losses. The macroeconomic variables considered include measurements of the regional economy, home price changes and unemployment rates, which may have an impact on credit quality. Refer to Note 3 – Loans for additional information regarding credit quality. For individually reviewed financial assets, see detail provided in the Individually Reviewed Loans section below.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) Financial Assets

PCD assets are acquired individual financial assets (or acquired groups of financial assets with similar risk characteristics) that, as of the date of acquisition, have experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination, as determined by an acquirer’s assessment. A single asset can be deemed a PCD asset, or a group of assets acquired together that have similar risk characteristics can be classified as PCD assets. PCD assets are recorded at their purchase price plus the ACL expected at the time of acquisition, or “gross up” of the amortized cost basis. Day 1 ACL is established for these loans without an income statement effect. Any changes in the current estimate of the ACL after acquisition from the estimated ACL previously recorded are reported in net income as provision for credit losses expense or reversal of provision for credit losses in subsequent periods as they arise. A purchased financial asset that does not qualify as a PCD asset is accounted for similarly to originated assets, whereby an ACL is recognized with a corresponding increase to the income statement provision for credit losses.

Determining which assets meet the PCD definition requires management’s judgment as there is no definition provided for “more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality”. Credit deterioration attributes such as credit risk ratings, FICO score, delinquency status and other standard indicators (i.e., TDR, non-accrual status, charge-offs and bankruptcy) are used to classify

PCD assets either at the level of the individual asset or on the basis of a group or pool in an asset acquisition or business combination.

In terms of CIT’s former purchased credit-impaired loans (“PCI”) under ASC 310-30, the Company elected to transition from pool level to loan level by using the undiscounted expected cash flows for each asset within the pool to allocate the respective non-credit discount pursuant to ASC 326-20. PCI assets became PCD assets via the re-characterization of existing non-accretable discount as ACL using the undiscounted contractual cash flows method at the loan level with no equity impact at transition. In transitioning from PCI to PCD, accrued interest was recognized separately from the loan balance given the Company’s accounting policy election not to measure an ACL on accrued interest receivable within other assets.

Zero Loss Assumption

Measurement of expected credit losses is not required for a financial asset or group of financial assets if historical credit loss information adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts results in an expectation of nonpayment of the amortized cost basis of zero. Government-insured consumer loans (e.g., Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”)), U.S. treasury securities, U.S. government agency issued securities and certain commercial agency securities are within the scope of the zero loss assumption under CECL given these securities have the highest credit ratings, a long history of no credit losses, and are guaranteed by high credit quality entities.

MOB Acquisition

In connection with the MOB Acquisition, the Company incorporated MOB’s financial assets into CIT’s CECL framework. CIT was required to record an allowance for non-PCD assets with a corresponding increase to the income statement provision for credit losses. For acquired PCD loans, an allowance was required with a corresponding increase to the amortized cost basis as of the acquisition date. For PCD loans where all or a portion of the loan balance has been previously written-off, or would be subject to write-off under CIT’s charge-off policy, the CECL allowance included as part of the grossed-up loan balance at acquisition was immediately written-off, resulting in a zero period-end allowance balance and no impact on the ACL rollforward.

Refer to Note 2 Acquisition and Discontinued Operations for additional details.

Other Allowance Factors

With respect to loans transferred from held for investment (“HFI”) to assets held for sale (“AHFS”), prior to transfer to AHFS a write-down of the amortized cost basis is recognized with a charge to the provision for credit losses, to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value and the difference relates to credit quality. After the asset is transferred to AHFS, the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds fair value is accounted for as a valuation allowance in other income, and changes in valuation are included in the determination of net income of the period in which the change occurs.

With respect to loans transferred from AHFS to HFI, any valuation allowance previously recorded on the AHFS is reversed through earnings prior to the transfer. CIT then reclassifies the loan into HFI at its amortized cost basis (which is reduced by any previous charge-offs but excludes any valuation allowance). After transferring back into HFI, the loan is evaluated in accordance with CIT’s normal credit review policies with any necessary ACL recognized with a corresponding increase to the income statement provision for credit losses.

An approach similar to the ACL process is utilized to calculate the allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures related to unfunded loan commitments, letters of credit and deferred purchase agreements (“DPAs”). The allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures is maintained to absorb estimated credit losses related to these facilities and includes an assumption of the likelihood that funding will occur prior to an obligor defaulting. The allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures is recorded as a liability within other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net adjustments to the allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures are included in the provision for credit losses.

A loan or lease is determined to be collateral-dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. Collateral dependent loans and leases are recorded at their amortized cost basis. An ACL is established for an excess of amortized cost of collateral-dependent loans or leases over the fair value of the underlying collateral (less costs to sell, if applicable) at the reporting date. Collateral-dependent loans and leases are identified on a quarterly basis. The underlying collateral is primarily equipment and real estate.

CECL requires that entities do not extend the contractual term for expected extensions, renewals, and modifications unless it has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that it will execute a TDR with the borrower. In addition, extension or renewal options (excluding those that are accounted for as a derivative) that are included in the original or modified contract at the reporting date and are not unconditionally cancellable by the entity are considered when determining the contractual term of a loan. Under CIT’s allowance methodology, CIT defines a TDR as reasonably expected when the Company has identified and approved a TDR for commercial loans and when CIT as a Lender has approved the terms of a trial modification for a borrower experiencing financial difficulty (i.e., typically the beginning of the trial period) for consumer loans. Borrower extension options exist exclusively in the Real Estate Finance division. The amount of the reserve required for these contracts is affected by (1) the size of the portfolio with extension options at the discretion of the borrower; (2) the length and number of extensions for which the borrower is eligible, and (3) the probability the borrower will elect and qualify for the extension.

Past Due and Non-Accrual Loans

Past Due and Non-Accrual Loans

A loan is considered past due for financial reporting purposes if a default of contractual principal or interest exists for a period of 30 days or more. For consumer mortgage loans, under the Mortgage Bankers Association’s method of reporting delinquencies, a loan is delinquent if a monthly payment has not been received by the end of the day immediately preceding the loan’s next due

date. All other loans use a method of reporting delinquencies that considers a loan delinquent if a monthly payment has not been received by the close of business on the loan’s next due date. Past due loans consist of loans that are still accruing interest as well as loans on non-accrual status.

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when the financial condition of the borrower has deteriorated and payment in full of principal or interest is not expected or the scheduled payment of principal and interest has been delinquent for 90 days or more, unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection.

The Company elected that at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status (for Commercial Loans) or is contractually delinquent for 90 days or more (for consumer mortgages and small ticket Commercial Loans), all previously accrued but uncollected interest is reversed and charged against interest income. All future interest accruals, as well as amortization of deferred fees, costs, purchase premiums or discounts are suspended if a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Subsequent interest received is applied to the outstanding principal balance until the account is collected, charged-off or returned to accrual status. Loans that are on cash basis non-accrual do not accrue interest income; however, payments designated by the borrower as interest payments may be recorded as interest income. To qualify for this treatment, the remaining recorded investment in the loan must be deemed fully collectable. Regarding payment deferrals granted due to COVID-19, as there are no contractual payments due during the deferral period, these loans will generally not be assessed as being past due or on non-accrual during the period of the deferral.

Individually Reviewed Loans

 

Individually Reviewed Loans

CECL guidance provides that a financial asset is measured individually if it does not share similar risk characteristics with other financial assets. For CIT, loans which are identified to be individually reviewed under CECL typically would have been evaluated individually as impaired loans using accounting guidance in effect in periods prior to the adoption of CECL.

Loans of $500 thousand or greater that are placed on non-accrual status are subject to periodic individual review by the Company’s problem loan management (“PLM”) function. The Company excludes certain loan portfolios from its individually reviewed loans disclosures as charge-offs are typically determined and recorded for such loans beginning at 90-150 days, depending on loan type, of contractual delinquency. These excluded loan portfolios include small-ticket loans, primarily in Business Capital, as well as short-term factoring receivables in Commercial Finance.

Charge-Offs on Loans

Charge-Offs on Loans

Charge-offs on loans are recorded after considering such factors as the borrower’s financial condition, the value of underlying collateral and guarantees (including recourse to dealers and manufacturers), and the status of collection activities. Such charge-offs are deducted from the carrying value of the related loans. This policy is largely applicable in the loan classes within Commercial Banking. In general, charge-offs of large ticket commercial loans ($500 thousand or greater) are determined based on the facts and circumstances related to the specific loan and the underlying borrower and the use of judgment by the Company. Charge-offs of small ticket commercial loans are recorded beginning at 90-150 days, depending on loan type, of delinquency.

Charge-offs of consumer loans are recorded beginning at 120 days of delinquency. The value of the underlying collateral will be considered when determining the charge-off amount if repossession is reasonably assured and in process.

Charge-offs on the Company’s loans are reflected in the provision for credit losses. Expected recoveries of amounts previously written off and expected to be written off are included in CIT’s loss estimates as decreases to the ACL and the provision for credit losses. In some circumstances, the ACL for a specific portfolio or loan may be negative because the amount expected to be collected, including expected recoveries, exceeds the financial asset’s amortized cost basis. The negative ACL is limited to the amounts previously written off and expected to be written off by the Company.

For acquired PCD loans where all or a portion of the loan balance had been charged off prior to acquisition, and for which active collection efforts are still underway, the CECL allowance included as part of the grossed-up loan balance at acquisition is immediately charged off if required by CIT’s existing charge off policy. Additionally, CIT is required to consider its existing policies in determining whether to charge off any financial assets, regardless of whether a charge-off was recorded by the predecessor company. The initial ACL recognized on PCD assets includes the gross-up of the loan balance reduced by immediate charge-offs for loans previously charged off by the predecessor company or which meet CIT’s charge-off policy on the date of acquisition. Charge-offs against the allowance related to such acquired PCD loans do not result in an income statement impact. See Note 4 – Allowance for Credit Losses for additional details.

Investments

Investments

Financial Assets with Collateral Maintenance Provisions

The Company has elected to measure the ACL by comparing the amortized cost basis of the financial asset with the fair value of collateral at the reporting date. Such financial assets include reverse repurchase agreements that are collateralized by securities. The Company marks the collateral assets for these transactions on a daily basis and any change, (e.g. decrease in value of collateral), results in additional collateral being called such that the Company is not exposed to default risk of the counterparty. The collateral placed or received are High Quality Liquid Securities. This election may result in an estimate of zero expected credit losses when the collateral levels are required to be adjusted and replenished to be always equal to or greater than the amortized cost basis of the financial assets. The fair value of collateral is reviewed at each reporting period to ensure zero loss assumption is appropriately applied.

Evaluating AFS Debt Securities for Credit Losses

An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual debt security is less than its amortized cost basis. Debt securities classified as AFS that are in an unrealized loss position, which the Company does not intend to sell or is not likely to be required to sell, are evaluated to determine whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors at the individual security level, if they do not qualify for zero-loss assumption. If evidence of credit loss exists, the present value of expected cash flows is compared with the amortized cost basis and an allowance is recorded as a deduction from the security balance, with a corresponding increase in the provision for credit losses, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Non-credit related impairment losses are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”). Any changes in the current estimate of the ACL from the estimated ACL previously recorded are reported in net income as provision for credit losses expense or reversal of provision for credit losses. Losses are charged against the ACL when the uncollectibility of an AFS debt security is confirmed by management. Change in the ACL due to changes in time value is reported as provision for credit losses. If the Company intends to sell the debt security, or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, any existing ACL is written off and the amortized cost basis of the security is written down to the fair value at the reporting date with any incremental impairment reported in earnings.

Accrued Interest Receivable on AFS

The Company elected to present the accrued interest receivable balance separately within Other Assets. Accrued interest is excluded from both the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the AFS debt security for the purpose of identifying and measuring impairment. The Company elected not to measure an ACL for accrued interest receivable, rather, all previously accrued but uncollected interest is reversed and charged against interest income when the AFS security is deemed uncollectible by management.

Regulatory Capital

Regulatory Capital

In March 2020, the OCC, FRB and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) collectively issued an interim final rule on the Revised Transition of the Current Expected Credit Losses Methodology for Allowances (“Revised CECL Transition Rule”) for regulatory capital. See Note 13 Regulatory Capital for more details.

Other Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

Other Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

In addition to ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) outlined above, the following pronouncements were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and adopted by CIT as of January 1, 2020. Refer to Note 1 – Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in 2019 Form 10-K for a detailed description of these pronouncements:

 

ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on CIT’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following accounting pronouncements were issued by the FASB but are not yet effective for CIT.

 

Standard

Summary of Guidance

Effect on CIT's Financial Statements

ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

Issued March 2020

The amendments in this update provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met.

The amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform.

For contract modifications, the amendments provide the optional relief of accounting for the modification as a continuation of the existing contract without additional analysis. In addition, companies can consider embedded features to be clearly and closely related to the host contract without

reassessment.

For hedge accounting, entities can continue hedge accounting when certain critical terms of a hedging relationship change. Moreover, companies can perform some effectiveness assessments in ways that disregard certain potential sources of ineffectiveness.

For held-to-maturity (“HTM”) debt securities, entities have the optional relief of one-time sale and/or transfer to AFS or trading for HTM debt securities that both reference an eligible reference rate and were classified as HTM before January 1, 2020.

The ASU applies prospectively to contract modifications and hedging relationships.

Entities can apply the amendments in this update as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020 (January 1, 2020 for calendar year-end companies) or any date thereafter. However, the guidance will only be available for a limited time (generally through December 31, 2022).

The one-time election to sell and/or transfer debt securities classified as HTM may be made at any time after March 12, 2020.

CIT is currently evaluating the timing of the election of this standard, and its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

 

ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

Issued November 2019

The amendments in this update add new guidance to simplify accounting for income taxes, change the accounting for certain income tax transactions and make minor improvements to the codification.

The amendments in this Update have different transition requirements depending on the topic.

Effective for CIT as of January 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted.

Although CIT is currently evaluating the impact of this standard, the Company does not anticipate a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

 

 

Litigation and other Contingencies

Litigation and other Contingencies

CIT is involved, and from time to time in the future may be involved, in a number of pending and threatened judicial, regulatory, and arbitration proceedings as well as proceedings, investigations, examinations and other actions brought or considered by governmental and self-regulatory agencies. These matters arise in connection with the conduct of CIT’s business. At any given time, CIT may also be in the process of responding to subpoenas, requests for documents, data and testimony relating to such matters and engaging in discussions to resolve the matters (all of the foregoing collectively being referred to as “Litigation”). While most Litigation relates to individual claims, CIT is also subject to putative class action claims and similar broader claims and indemnification obligations.

In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of Litigation matters and indemnification obligations, particularly when such matters are in their early stages or where the claimants seek indeterminate damages, CIT cannot state with confidence what the eventual outcome of the pending Litigation will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines, or penalties related to each pending matter will be, if any. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, CIT establishes reserves for Litigation when those matters present loss contingencies as to which it is both probable that a loss will occur and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on currently available information, CIT believes that the outcome of Litigation that is currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, but may be material to the Company’s operating results or cash flows for any particular period, depending in part on its operating results for that period. The actual results of resolving such matters may be substantially higher than the amounts reserved.

For certain Litigation matters in which the Company is involved, the Company is able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses in excess of established reserves and insurance. For other matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible, such an estimate cannot be determined. For Litigation and other matters where losses are reasonably possible, management currently estimates the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses as up to $35 million in excess of any established reserves and any insurance we reasonably believe we will collect related to those matters. This estimate represents reasonably possible losses (in excess of established reserves and insurance) over the life of such Litigation, which may span a currently indeterminable number of years, and is based on information currently available as of March 31, 2020. The Litigation matters underlying the estimated range will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from this estimate.

Those Litigation matters for which an estimate is not reasonably possible or as to which a loss does not appear to be reasonably possible, based on current information, are not included within this estimated range and, therefore, this estimated range does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure.

The foregoing statements about CIT’s Litigation are based on the Company’s judgments, assumptions, and estimates and are necessarily subjective and uncertain. The Company has several hundred threatened and pending judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings at various stages. One of the Company’s significant Litigation matters is described below.