Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

(a) Description of Business

Territorial Bancorp Inc. (the Company), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Territorial Savings Bank (the Bank), provides loan and deposit products and services primarily to individual customers through 28 branches located throughout Hawaii. We deal primarily in residential mortgage loans in the State of Hawaii. The Company’s earnings depend primarily on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets (loans receivable and investments) and the interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities (deposit liabilities and borrowings). Deposits traditionally have been the principal source of the Bank’s funds for use in lending, meeting liquidity requirements, and making investments. The Company also derives funds from receipt of interest and principal repayments on outstanding loans receivable and investments, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and proceeds from issuance of common stock.

Principles of Consolidation

(b) Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts and results of operations of Territorial Bancorp Inc. and Territorial Savings Bank and its wholly-owned subsidiary. Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, federal funds sold, and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Investment Securities

(d) Investment Securities

The Company classifies and accounts for its investment securities as follows: (1) held-to-maturity debt securities in which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at amortized cost; (2) trading securities that are purchased for the purpose of selling in the near term are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in current earnings; and (3) available-for-sale securities not classified as either held-to-maturity or trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from current earnings and reported as a separate component of equity. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $20.2 million and $20.8 million, respectively, of securities classified as available-for-sale and the remaining securites were classified as held-to-maturity.

Gains or losses on the sale of investment securities are computed using the specific-identification method. The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts associated with investment securities using the interest method over the contractual life of the respective investment security. Such amortization and accretion is included in the interest income line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Interest income is recognized when earned.

Loans Receivable

(e) Loans Receivable

This policy applies to all loan classes. Loans receivable are stated at the principal amount outstanding, less the allowance for credit losses, loan origination fees and costs, and commitment fees. Interest on loans receivable is accrued as earned. The Company has a policy of placing loans on a nonaccrual basis when 90 days or more contractually delinquent or when, in the opinion of management, collection of all or part of the principal balance appears doubtful. For nonaccrual loans, the Company records payments received as a reduction in principal. The Company, considering current information and events regarding the borrowers’ ability to repay their obligations, considers a loan to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, if the loan is considered to be collateral dependent, based on the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell. Impairment losses are written off against the allowance for loan losses. For nonaccrual impaired loans, the Company records payments received as a reduction in principal. A nonaccrual loan may be restored to an accrual basis when principal and interest payments are current and full payment of principal and interest is expected.

Loans Held for Sale

(f) Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are stated at the lower of aggregate cost or market value. Net fees and costs of originating loans held for sale are deferred and are included in the basis for determining the gain or loss on sales of loans held for sale.

Deferred Loan Origination Fees and Unearned Loan Discounts

(g) Deferred Loan Origination Fees and Unearned Loan Discounts

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are being deferred, and the net amount is recognized over the life of the related loan as an adjustment to yield. Net deferred loan fees are amortized using the interest method over the contractual term of the loan, adjusted for actual prepayments. Net unamortized fees on loans paid in full are recognized as a component of interest income.

Real Estate Owned

(h) Real Estate Owned

Real estate owned is valued at the time of foreclosure at fair value, less estimated cost to sell, thereby establishing a new cost basis. The Company obtains appraisals based on recent comparable sales to assist management in estimating the fair value of real estate owned. Subsequent to acquisition, real estate owned is valued at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated cost to sell. Declines in value are charged to expense through a direct write-down of the asset. Costs related to holding real estate are charged to expense while costs related to development and improvements are capitalized. Net gains or losses recognized on the sale of real estate owned are included in other general and administrative expenses.

Transfer of Financial Assets

(j) Transfer of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control is surrendered. Control is surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right to pledge or exchange the assets without constraint, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets. Mortgage loans sold for cash are accounted for as sales as the above criteria have been met.

Mortgage loans may also be packaged into securities that are issued and guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises or a U.S. government agency. The Company receives 100% of the mortgage-backed securities issued. The mortgage-backed securities received in securitizations are valued at fair value and classified as held-to-maturity. A gain or loss in the securitization transactions is recognized for the difference between the fair value of the mortgage-backed securities received and the amortized cost of the loans securitized.

Mortgage loan transfers accounted for as sales and securitizations are without recourse, except for normal representations and warranties provided in sales transactions, and the Company may retain the related rights to service the loans. The retained servicing rights create mortgage servicing assets that are accounted for in accordance with the Transfers and Servicing topic of the FASB ASC. Mortgage servicing assets are initially valued at fair value and subsequently at the lower of cost or fair value and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. The Company uses a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of retained mortgage servicing rights. The amount of mortgage servicing rights is immaterial to the financial statement.

Premises and Equipment

(k) Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is principally computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The estimated useful life of buildings and improvements is 30 years, furniture, fixtures, and equipment is 3 to 10 years, and automobiles are 3 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.

Income Taxes

(l) Income Taxes

The Company files consolidated federal income tax and consolidated state franchise tax returns.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized using the asset and liability method of accounting for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We establish income tax contingency reserves for potential tax liabilities related to uncertain tax positions. A liability for income tax uncertainties would be recorded for unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions where it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had not recognized a liability for income tax uncertainties in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets because management concluded that the Company does not have material uncertain tax positions.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to tax liabilities in other interest expense and other general and administrative expenses, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Tax years 2020 and after currently remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and by the Department of Taxation of the State of Hawaii.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

(m) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as premises and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.

Pension Plan

(n) Pension Plan

Pension benefit costs (returns) are charged (credited) to salaries and employee benefits expense or other income, and the corresponding prepaid (accrued) pension cost is recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets or accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s policy is to fund pension costs in amounts that will not be less than the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and will not exceed the maximum tax-deductible amounts. The Company generally funds at least the net periodic pension cost, subject to limits and targeted funded status as determined with the consulting actuary.

Share-Based Compensation

(o) Share-Based Compensation

The Company grants share-based compensation awards, including restricted stock and restricted stock units, which are either performance-based or time-based. The fair value of the restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards were based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The cost of these awards are amortized in the Consolidated Statements of Income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The amount of performance-based restricted stock units that vest on a performance condition is remeasured quarterly based on how the Company’s return on average equity compares to the SNL Bank Index. The number of performance-based restricted stock units that are expected to vest based on the Company’s return on average equity is determined quarterly and the amortization of these stock awards is adjusted for any changes in the restricted stock units that are expected to vest. The fair value of performance-based restricted stock units that are based on how the Company’s total stock return compares to the SNL Bank Index was measured using a Monte-Carlo valuation. The number of performance-based restricted stock units that are based on the Company’s total stock return is amortized over the vesting period and is not adjusted for performance.

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP)

(p) Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP)

The SERP is a noncontributory supplemental retirement plan covering certain current and former employees of the Company.  Benefits in the SERP plan are paid after retirement, in addition to the benefits provided by the Pension Plan.  The Company accrues SERP costs over the estimated period until retirement by charging salaries and employee benefits expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, with a corresponding credit to accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

(q) Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

The cost of shares issued to the ESOP, but not yet allocated to participants, is shown as a reduction of stockholders’ equity. Compensation expense is based on the market price of shares as they are committed to be released to participant accounts. Dividends on allocated ESOP shares reduce retained earnings; dividends on unearned ESOP shares reduce debt and accrued interest.

Earnings Per Share

(r) Earnings Per Share

We have two forms of our outstanding common stock: common stock and unvested restricted stock awards.  Holders of unvested restricted stock awards receive dividends at the same rate as common shareholders and they both share equally in undistributed earnings.  Unvested restricted stock awards that are time-based contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are considered to be participating securities in the earnings per share computation using the two-class method.  Under the two-class method, earnings are allocated to common shareholders and participating securities according to their respective rights to earnings.  Unvested restricted stock awards that vest based on performance or market conditions are not considered to be participating securities in the earnings per share calculation because accrued dividends on shares that do not vest are forfeited.

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock. ESOP shares not committed to be released are not considered outstanding.

Common Stock Repurchase Program

(s) Common Stock Repurchase Program

The Company adopted common stock repurchase programs in which shares repurchased reduce the amount of shares issued and outstanding. The repurchased shares may be reissued in connection with share-based compensation plans and for general corporate purposes. During 2023 and 2022, the Company repurchased 250,882 and 262,621 shares of common stock, respectively, at an average cost of $16.05 and $22.75 per share, respectively, as part of the repurchase programs authorized by the Board of Directors.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

(t) Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Company’s investment in bank-owned life insurance is based on cash surrender value. The Company invests in bank-owned life insurance to provide a funding source for benefit plan obligations. Bank-owned life insurance also generally provides noninterest income that is nontaxable. Federal regulations generally limit the investment in bank-owned life insurance to 25% of the Bank’s Tier 1 capital plus the allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2023, this limit was $61.0 million and the Company had invested $48.6 million in bank-owned life insurance at that date.

Leases

(u) Leases

The Company records a right-of-use (ROU) asset for those leases that convey rights to control use of identified assets for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company is also required to record a lease liability for the present value of future payment commitments. The Company leases most of its premises and some vehicles and equipment under operating leases expiring on various dates through 2037. The majority of lease agreements relate to real estate and generally provide that the Company pay taxes, insurance, maintenance and certain other variable operating expenses applicable to the leased premises. Variable lease components and nonlease components are not included in the Company’s computation of the ROU asset or lease liability. The Company also does not include short-term leases in the computation of the ROU asset or lease liability. Short-term leases are leases with a term at commencement of 12 months or less. Short-term lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

The value of the ROU asset and lease liability is impacted by the amount of the periodic payment required, length of the lease term, lease incentives and the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments. Certain leases have renewal options at the expiration of the lease terms. Generally, option periods are not included in the computation of the lease term, ROU asset or lease liability because the Company is not reasonably certain to exercise renewal options at the expiration of the lease terms. Because the discount rates implicit in our leases are not known, discount rates have been estimated using the rates for fixed-rate, amortizing advances from the FHLB for the approximate terms of the leases.

Use of Estimates

(v) Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the allowance for credit losses; valuation of certain investment securities; valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets; and assets and obligations related to employee benefit plans. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

(w) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU changed the threshold for recognizing losses from a “probable” to an “expected” model. The new model is referred to as the current expected credit loss model and applies to loans, leases, held-to-maturity investments, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The standard requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets as of the reporting date (including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts) and enhanced disclosures that will help financial statement users understand the estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses and evaluating the credit quality of an organization’s portfolio. The amendment was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In November 2019, the FASB issued an update that delayed the effective date of the amendment for smaller reporting companies, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is a smaller reporting company. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2023, and applied the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2023. Upon adoption of the standard, the Company recorded a $3.2 million increase to the reserve for credit losses, which included a decrease of $49,000 in the reserves for off-balance sheet credit exposures.  This resulted in a $2.3 million after-tax decrease to retained earnings as of January 1, 2023.  The tax effect resulted in an increase in deferred tax assets.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The ASU eliminates the accounting guidance for

loans modified as troubled debt restructurings by creditors while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Additionally, the ASU requires public business entities to disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases. This ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, upon the Company’s adoption of the amendments in ASU 2016-13. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2023, and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions to clarify that contractual sale restrictions should not be considered in the measurement of the fair value of an equity security. The Company owns stock in the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) and in the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) which is valued at historical cost which approximates fair value. Ownership of stock is a condition for services the Company receives from the FRB and FHLB. The stock is not publicly traded and can only be issued, exchanged, redeemed or repurchased by the FRB and the FHLB. ASU 2022-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative. The ASU is intended to clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of topics. Many of the amendment will allow users to more easily compare entities subject to the SEC’s existing disclosures with those entities that were not previously subject to the requirements and align the requirements in the FASB accounting standard codification with the SEC’s regulations. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that ASU 2023-06 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that ASU 2023-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.