People’s United uses derivative financial instruments as components of its market risk management (principally to manage interest rate risk (“IRR”)). Certain other derivatives are entered into in connection with transactions with commercial customers. Derivatives are not used for speculative purposes.

All derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Condition, reported at fair value and presented on a gross basis. Until a derivative is settled, a favorable change in fair value results in an unrealized gain that is recognized as an asset, while an unfavorable change in fair value results in an unrealized loss that is recognized as a liability.

The Company generally applies hedge accounting to its derivatives used for market risk management purposes. Hedge accounting is permitted only if specific criteria are met, including a requirement that a highly effective relationship exist between the derivative instrument and the hedged item, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis. The hedge accounting method depends upon whether the derivative instrument is classified as a fair value hedge (i.e. hedging an exposure related to a recognized asset or liability, or a firm commitment) or a cash flow hedge (i.e. hedging an exposure related to the variability of future cash flows associated with a recognized asset or liability, or a forecasted transaction). Changes in the fair value of effective fair value hedges are recognized in current earnings (with the change in fair value of the hedged asset or liability also recorded in earnings). Changes in the fair value of effective cash flow hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. Ineffective portions of hedge results are recognized in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives for which hedge accounting is not applied are recognized in current earnings.

People’s United formally documents at inception all relationships between the derivative instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as hedges to specific assets and liabilities, or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. People’s United also formally assesses, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective or has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, People’s United would discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. Gains or losses resulting from the termination of a derivative accounted for as a cash flow hedge remain in AOCL and are amortized to earnings over the remaining period of the former hedging relationship, provided the hedged item continues to be outstanding or it is probable the forecasted transaction will occur.

People’s United uses the dollar offset method, regression analysis and scenario analysis to assess hedge effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis. Such methods are chosen based on the nature of the hedge strategy and are used consistently throughout the life of the hedging relationship.

Certain derivative financial instruments are offered to commercial customers to assist them in meeting their financing and investing objectives and for their risk management purposes. These derivative financial instruments consist primarily of interest rate swaps and caps, but also include foreign exchange contracts. The interest rate and foreign exchange risks associated with customer interest rate swaps and caps and foreign exchange contracts are mitigated by entering into similar derivatives having essentially offsetting terms with institutional counterparties.

Interest rate-lock commitments extended to borrowers relate to the origination of residential mortgage loans. To mitigate the IRR inherent in these commitments, People’s United enters into mandatory delivery and best efforts contracts to sell adjustable-rate and fixed-rate residential mortgage loans (servicing released). Forward commitments to sell and interest  rate-lock commitments on residential mortgage loans are considered derivatives and their respective estimated fair values are adjusted based on changes in interest rates.

By using derivatives, People’s United is exposed to credit risk to the extent that counterparties to the derivative contracts do not perform as required. Should a counterparty fail to perform under the terms of a derivative contract, the Company’s counterparty credit risk is equal to the amount reported as a derivative asset in the Consolidated Statements of Condition. In accordance with the Company’s balance sheet offsetting policy (see Note 14), amounts reported as derivative assets represent derivative contracts in a gain position, without consideration for derivative contracts in a loss position with the same counterparty (to the extent subject to master netting arrangements) and posted collateral. People’s United seeks to minimize counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures, execution of master netting arrangements and obtaining collateral, where appropriate. Counterparties to People’s United’s derivatives include major financial institutions and exchanges that undergo comprehensive and periodic internal credit analysis as well as maintain investment grade credit ratings from the major credit rating agencies. As such, management believes the risk of incurring credit losses on derivative contracts with those counterparties is remote and losses, if any, would be immaterial.

Certain of People’s United’s derivative contracts contain provisions establishing collateral requirements (subject to minimum collateral posting thresholds) based on the Company’s external credit rating. If the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating were to fall below the level generally recognized as investment grade, the counterparties to such derivative contracts could require additional collateral on those derivative transactions in a net liability position (after considering the effect of master netting arrangements and posted collateral). There were no derivative instruments with such credit-related contingent features that were in a net liability position at March 31, 2020.

The Bank has entered into pay floating/receive fixed interest rate swaps to reduce its IRR exposure to the variability in interest cash flows on certain floating-rate commercial loans. The Bank has agreed with the swap counterparties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts calculated based on notional amounts totaling $210 million. The floating-rate interest payments made under the swaps are calculated using the same floating rate received on the commercial loans. The swaps effectively convert the floating-rate one-month LIBOR interest payments received on the commercial loans to a fixed rate and consequently reduce the Bank’s exposure to variability in short-term interest rates. These swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

The Bank has entered into a pay floating/receive fixed interest rate swap to hedge the change in fair value due to changes in interest rates of the Bank’s $400 million subordinated notes. The Bank has agreed with the swap counterparty to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts calculated based on a notional amount of $375 million. The fixed-rate interest payments received on the swap will essentially offset the fixed-rate interest payments made on these notes, notwithstanding the notional difference between these notes and the swap. The floating-rate interest amounts paid under the swap are calculated based on three-month LIBOR plus 126.5 basis points. The swap effectively converts the fixed-rate subordinated notes to a floating-rate liability. This swap is accounted for as a fair value hedge.

The Bank has entered into two-year and three-year pay fixed/receive floating interest rate swaps to reduce its interest rate exposure by hedging the variability in interest cash flows on certain rolling three-month funding liabilities, which may consist of FHLB advances. The Bank has agreed with the swap counterparty to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts calculated based on an aggregate notional amount of $550 million. The interest rate swaps effectively convert a short-term benchmark interest rate (LIBOR) into a fixed-rate. These swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

People’s United enters into interest rate swaps and caps with certain of its commercial customers. In order to minimize its risk, these customer interest rate swaps (pay floating/receive fixed) and caps have been offset with essentially matching interest rate swaps (pay fixed/receive floating) and caps with People’s United’s institutional counterparties. Hedge accounting has not been applied for these derivatives. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of all such interest rate swaps and caps are recognized in current earnings.

Foreign exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell foreign currency on a future date at a contractual price. People’s United uses these instruments on a limited basis to (i) eliminate its exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates on certain of its commercial loans that are denominated in foreign currencies and (ii) provide foreign exchange contracts on behalf of commercial customers within credit exposure limits. Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts substantially offset the translation gains and losses on the related loans.

People’s United enters into risk participation agreements under which it may either assume or sell credit risk associated with a borrower’s performance under certain interest rate derivative contracts. In those instances in which People’s United has assumed credit risk, it is not a party to the derivative contract and has entered into the risk participation agreement because it is also a party to the related loan agreement with the borrower. In those instances in which People’s United has sold credit risk, it is a party to the derivative contract and has entered into the risk participation agreement because it sold a portion of the related loan. People’s United manages its credit risk under risk participation agreements by monitoring the creditworthiness of the borrower, based on its normal credit review process. The notional amounts of the risk participation agreements reflect People’s United’s pro-rata share of the derivative contracts, consistent with its share of the related loans.

People’s United enters into forward commitments to sell adjustable-rate and fixed-rate residential mortgage loans (all to be sold servicing released) in order to reduce the market risk associated with originating loans for sale in the secondary market. In order to fulfill a forward commitment, People’s United delivers originated loans at prices or yields specified by the contract. The risks associated with such contracts arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the contract terms or People’s United’s inability to originate the necessary loans. Gains and losses realized on the forward contracts are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of the net gains on sales of residential mortgage loans. In the normal course of business, People’s United will commit to an interest rate on a mortgage loan application at the time of application, or anytime thereafter. The risks associated with these interest rate-lock commitments arise if market interest rates change prior to the closing of these loans. Both forward sales commitments and interest rate-lock commitments made to borrowers on held-for-sale loans are accounted for as derivatives, with changes in fair value recognized in current earnings.

In connection with its planned issuance of senior notes in the fourth quarter of 2012, People’s United entered into  U.S. Treasury forward interest rate locks (“T-Locks”) to hedge the risk that the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield component of the underlying coupon of the fixed-rate senior notes would rise prior to establishing the fixed interest rate on the senior notes. Upon pricing the senior notes, the T-Locks were terminated and the unrealized gain of $0.9 million was included (on a net-of-tax basis) as a component of AOCL. The gain is being recognized as a reduction of interest expense over the ten-year period during which the hedged item ($500 million senior note issuance) affects earnings.


						Fair Values (1)
		Notional Amounts						Assets						Liabilities
(in millions)	Type of Hedge	March 31, 2020		Dec 31, 2019		March 31, 2020		Dec 31, 2019		March 31, 2020		Dec 31, 2019
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate swaps:
Commercial customers	N/A	$	9,207.6	$	8,847.7	$	905.4	$	320.5	$	—	$	13.9
Institutional counterparties	N/A	9,211.4		8,851.8		27.5		17.1		184.5		78.2
Interest rate caps:
Commercial customers	N/A	253.4		246.0		3.6		1.6		—		0.1
Institutional counterparties	N/A	253.4		246.0		—		0.1		3.6		1.6
Risk participation agreements	N/A	910.3		882.8		—		—		0.5		0.1
Foreign exchange contracts	N/A	237.7		180.4		8.6		1.2		9.2		1.8
Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans	N/A	77.7		23.3		0.6		0.5		—		—
Interest rate-lock commitments on residential mortgage loans	N/A	53.8		33.6		—		—		0.7		0.5
Total						945.7		341.0		198.5		96.2
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate swaps:
FHLB advances	Cash flow	550.0		—		—		—		—		—
Subordinated notes	Fair value	375.0		375.0		—		—		—		—
Loans	Cash flow	210.0		210.0		—		—		—		—
Total						—		—		—		—
Total fair value of derivatives						$	945.7	$	341.0	$	198.5	$	96.2


	Type of Hedge	Amount of Pre-Tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings (1)						Amount of Pre-Tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL
Three months ended March 31 (in millions)		2020		2019		2020		2019
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate swaps:
Commercial customers	N/A	$	613.6	$	111.6	$	—	$	—
Institutional counterparties	N/A	(603.7)		(108.8)		—		—
Interest rate caps:
Commercial customers	N/A	2.0		1.1		—		—
Institutional counterparties	N/A	(2.0)		(1.2)		—		—
Foreign exchange contracts	N/A	0.1		0.2		—		—
Risk participation agreements	N/A	(0.6)		0.1		—		—
Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans	N/A	0.2		—		—		—
Interest rate-lock commitments on residential mortgage loans	N/A	(0.2)		—		—		—
Total		9.4		3.0		—		—
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Interest rate swaps	Fair value	0.4		(0.3)		—		—
Interest rate swaps	Cash flow	—		(0.4)		0.1		0.6
Interest rate locks (2)	Cash flow	—		—		—		—
Total		0.4		(0.7)		0.1		0.6
Total		$	9.8	$	2.3	$	0.1	$	0.6