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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Bank of Hawaii Corporation (the “Parent”) is a Delaware corporation and a bank holding company headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Bank of Hawaii Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) provide a broad range of financial products and services to customers in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. The majority of the Company’s operations consist of customary commercial and consumer banking services including, but not limited to, lending, leasing, deposit services, trust and investment activities, brokerage services, and trade financing.

The accounting and reporting principles of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates and such differences could be material to the financial statements.

Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

The following is a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies:

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Parent and its subsidiaries. The Parent’s principal operating subsidiary is Bank of Hawaii (the “Bank”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable interests are defined as contractual ownership or other interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in an entity’s net asset value. The primary beneficiary consolidates the variable interest entity (“VIE”). The primary beneficiary is defined as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE.

The Company has limited partnership interests in several low-income housing partnerships. These partnerships provide funds for the construction and operation of apartment complexes that provide affordable housing to lower-income households. If these developments successfully attract a specified percentage of residents falling in that lower income range, state and/or federal income tax credits are made available to the partners. The tax credits are generally recognized over 10 years for federal and 5 years for state. In order to continue receiving the tax credits each year over the life of the partnership, the low-income residency targets must be maintained.

Prior to January 1, 2015, the Company utilized the effective yield method whereby the Company recognized tax credits generally over 10 years and amortized the initial cost of the investment to provide a constant effective yield over the period that tax credits are allocated to the Company. On January 1, 2015, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-01, “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects” prospectively for new investments. ASU No. 2014-01 permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. As permitted by ASU No. 2014-01, the Company elected to continue to utilize the effective yield method for investments made prior to January 1, 2015.

Unfunded commitments to fund these low-income housing partnerships were $21.3 million and $15.2 million as of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively. These unfunded commitments are unconditional and legally binding and are recorded in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of condition. See Note 18 Affordable Housing Projects Tax Credit Partnerships for more information.

The Company also has limited partnership interests in solar energy tax credit partnership investments. These partnerships develop, build, own and operate solar renewable energy projects. Over the course of these investments, the Company expects to receive federal and state tax credits, tax-related benefits, and excess cash available for distribution, if any. The Company may be called to sell its interest in the limited partnerships through a call option once all investment tax credits have been recognized. Tax benefits associated with these investments are generally recognized over 6 years.

These entities meet the definition of a VIE; however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the entities, as the general partner has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entities. While the partnership agreements allow the limited partners, through a majority vote, to remove the general partner, this right is not deemed to be substantive as the general partner can only be removed for cause.

The investments in these entities are initially recorded at cost, which approximates the maximum exposure to loss as a result of the Company’s involvement with these unconsolidated entities. The balance of the Company’s investments in these entities was $84.6 million and $85.9 million as of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively, and is included in other assets in the consolidated statements of condition.

Investment Securities

Investment securities are accounted for according to their purpose and holding period. Trading securities are those that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. The Company held no trading securities as of December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018. Available-for-sale investment securities, comprised of debt and mortgage-backed securities, are those that may be sold before maturity due to changes in the Company’s interest rate risk profile or funding needs, and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income. Held-to-maturity investment securities, comprised of debt and mortgage-backed securities, are those that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported at amortized cost.

Realized gains and losses are recorded in noninterest income and are determined on a trade date basis using the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on investment securities are recognized in interest income on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income using the interest method over the expected lives of the individual securities.

Transfers of debt securities from the available-for-sale category to the held-to-maturity category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer remains in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held-to-maturity investment security. Premiums or discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted as an adjustment of yield using the interest method over the estimated life of the security. Unrealized holding gains or losses that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income are also amortized or accreted over the estimated life of the security as an adjustment of yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount.

Other-Than-Temporary-Impairments of Investment Securities

The Company conducts an other-than-temporary-impairment (“OTTI”) analysis of investment securities on a quarterly basis or more often if a potential loss-triggering event occurs. A write-down of a debt security is recorded when fair value is below amortized cost in circumstances where: (1) the Company has the intent to sell a security; (2) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company intends to sell a security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery, an OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. If the Company does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is separated into an amount representing credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and an amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. To determine the amount related to credit loss on a debt security, the Company applies a methodology similar to that used for evaluating the impairment of loans. As of December 31, 2019, management determined that the Company did not own any investment securities that were other-than-temporarily-impaired.

Loans Held for Sale

Residential mortgage loans with the intent to be sold in the secondary market are accounted for on an aggregate basis under the fair value option. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. Non-refundable fees and direct loan origination costs related to residential mortgage loans held for sale are recognized as part of the cost basis of the loan at the time of sale. Gains and losses on sales of residential mortgage loans (sales proceeds minus carrying value) are recorded in the mortgage banking component of noninterest income.

Commercial loans that management has an active plan to sell are valued on an individual basis at the lower-of-cost-or fair value. Fair value is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets or agreed upon sales prices. Any reduction in the loan’s value, prior to being transferred to the held-for-sale category, is reflected as a charge-off of the recorded investment in the loan resulting in a new cost basis, with a corresponding reduction in the allowance for loan and lease losses. Further decreases in the fair value of the loan are recognized in noninterest expense.

Loans and Leases

Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income including unamortized deferred loan fees and costs, and cumulative net charge-offs. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Loan origination fees, certain direct costs, and unearned discounts and premiums, if any, are deferred and are generally amortized into interest income as yield adjustments using the interest method over the contractual life of the loan. Loan commitment fees are generally recognized into noninterest income. Other credit-related fees are recognized as fee income, a component of noninterest income, when earned.

The Company’s lease financing arrangements, excluding leveraged leases, primarily consist of equipment and automobile leases. These lease arrangments are classified as sales-type leases despite not receiving a selling profit at lease inception. Sales-type leases are carried at the aggregate of lease payments receivable plus the estimated residual value of leased property, less unearned income. Leveraged leases are carried net of non-recourse debt. Unearned income on sales-type and leveraged leases is amortized over the lease term by methods that approximate the interest method. Residual values on leased assets are periodically reviewed for impairment.

Portfolio segments are defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for loan and lease losses (the “Allowance”). Management has determined that the Company has two portfolio segments of loans and leases (commercial and consumer) in determining the Allowance. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are used by management at the portfolio segment level in determining the adequacy of the Allowance for the Company. Classes of loans and leases are a disaggregation of a Company’s portfolio segments. Classes are defined as a group of loans and leases which share similar initial measurement attributes, risk characteristics, and methods for monitoring and assessing credit risk. Management has determined that the Company has eight classes of loans and leases (commercial and industrial, commercial mortgage, construction, lease financing, residential mortgage, home equity, automobile, and other). The “other” class of loans and leases is comprised of revolving credit, installment, and consumer lease financing arrangements.

Non-Performing Loans and Leases

Generally, all classes of commercial loans and leases are placed on non-accrual status upon becoming contractually past due 90 days as to principal or interest (unless loans and leases are adequately secured by collateral, are in the process of collection, and are reasonably expected to result in repayment), when terms are renegotiated below market levels, or where substantial doubt about full repayment of principal or interest is evident. For residential mortgage and home equity loan classes, loans past due 120 days as to principal or interest may be placed on non-accrual status, and a partial charge-off may be recorded, depending on the collateral value and/or the collectability of the loan. For automobile and other consumer loan classes, the entire outstanding balance of the loan is charged off when the loan becomes 120 days past due as to principal or interest.

When a loan or lease is placed on non-accrual status, the accrued and unpaid interest receivable is reversed and the loan or lease is accounted for on the cash or cost recovery method until qualifying for return to accrual status. All payments received on non-accrual loans and leases are applied against the principal balance of the loan or lease. A loan or lease may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal become current in accordance with the terms of the loan or lease agreement and when doubt about repayment is resolved.

Generally, for all classes of loans and leases, a charge-off is recorded when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and when it is possible to determine a reasonable estimate of the loss. For all classes of commercial loans and leases, a charge-off is determined on a judgmental basis after due consideration of the debtor’s prospects for repayment and the fair value of collateral. For the pooled segment of the Company’s commercial and industrial loan class, which consists of small business loans, the entire outstanding balance of the loan remains on accrual status until it is charged off during the month that the loan becomes 120 days past due as to principal or interest. As previously mentioned, for residential mortgage and home equity loan classes, a partial charge-off may be recorded at 120 days past due as to principal or interest depending on the collateral value and/or the collectability of the loan. In the event that a loan or line in the home equity loan class is behind another financial institution’s first mortgage, the entire outstanding balance of the loan is charged off when the loan becomes 120 days past due as to principal or interest, unless the combined loan-to-value ratio is 60% or less. As noted above, loans in the automobile and other consumer loan classes are charged off in its entirety upon the loan becoming 120 days past due as to principal or interest.

Impaired Loans

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 amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled interest payments. Impaired loans include all classes of commercial non-accruing loans (except lease financing and small business loans), and all loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. Impaired loans exclude lease financing and smaller balance homogeneous loans (consumer and small business non-accruing loans) that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

For all classes of commercial loans, a quarterly evaluation of individual commercial borrowers is performed to identify impaired loans. The identification of specific borrowers for review is based on a review of non-accrual loans as well as those loans specifically identified by management as exhibiting above average levels of risk.

When a loan has been identified as being impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the estimated fair value of the collateral, less any selling costs, if the loan is collateral-dependent. If the measurement of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (including accrued interest, net of deferred loan fees or costs, and unamortized premiums or discounts), impairment is recognized by establishing or adjusting an existing allocation of the Allowance, or by recording a partial charge-off of the loan to its fair value. Interest payments made on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest income may be accrued or recognized on a cash basis.

Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring

Loans are considered to have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring when, due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company makes certain concessions to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Modifications may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness, forbearance, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. Generally, a non-accrual loan that has been modified in a troubled debt restructuring remains on non-accrual status for a period of at least 6 months to demonstrate that the borrower is able to meet the terms of the modified loan. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, the loan remains on non-accrual status.

Reserve for Credit Losses

The Company’s reserve for credit losses is comprised of two components, the Allowance and the reserve for unfunded commitments (the “Unfunded Reserve”).

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The Company maintains an Allowance adequate to cover management’s estimate of probable credit losses as of the balance sheet date. Loans and leases that are charged off reduce the Allowance while recoveries of loans and leases previously charged off increase the Allowance. Other changes to the level of the Allowance are recognized through charges or credits to the provision for credit losses (the “Provision”). The Allowance considers both unimpaired and impaired loans and is developed and documented at the portfolio segment level (commercial and consumer).

The level of the Allowance related to the Company’s commercial portfolio segment is generally based on the credit risk ratings and historical loss experience of individual borrowers. This is supplemented as necessary by credit judgment to address observed changes in trends and conditions, and other relevant environmental and economic factors that may affect the collectability of loans and leases. Excluding those loans and leases evaluated individually for impairment, the Company’s remaining commercial loans and leases are pooled and collectively evaluated for impairment based on business unit and internal risk rating segmentation.

The level of the Allowance related to the Company’s consumer portfolio segment is generally based on analyses of homogeneous pools of loans and leases. Loans and leases are pooled based on similar loan and lease risk characteristics for collective evaluation of impairment. Loss estimates are calculated based on historical rolling average loss rates and average delinquency flows to loss. Consumer loans that have been individually evaluated for impairment or modified in a troubled debt restructuring are excluded from the homogeneous pools. Impairment related to such loans is generally determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate.

The Allowance also includes an estimate for inherent losses not reflected in the historical analyses. Relevant factors include, but are not limited to, concentrations of credit risk (geographic, large borrower, and industry), economic trends and conditions, changes in underwriting standards, experience and depth of lending staff, trends in delinquencies, and the level of net charge-offs. In addition, the Company uses a variety of other tools to estimate probable credit losses including, but not limited to, a rolling quarterly forecast of asset quality metrics; stress testing; and performance indicators based on the Company’s own experience, peers, or other industry sources.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The Unfunded Reserve is a component of other liabilities and represents the estimate for probable credit losses inherent in unfunded commitments to extend credit. Unfunded commitments to extend credit include banker’s acceptances, and standby and commercial letters of credit. The process used to determine the Unfunded Reserve is consistent with the process for determining the Allowance, as adjusted for estimated funding probabilities or loan and lease equivalency factors. The level of the Unfunded Reserve is adjusted by recording an expense or recovery in other noninterest expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, and funds sold. All amounts are readily convertible to cash and have maturities of less than 90 days.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Capital leases are included in premises and equipment at the capitalized amount less accumulated amortization.

Premises and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Estimated useful lives generally range up to 30 years for buildings and up to 10 years for equipment. Capitalized leased assets and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, while improvements which extend the estimated useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the asset.

Premises and equipment are periodically evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairment exists when the expected undiscounted future cash flows of premises and equipment are less than its carrying amount. In that event, the Company records a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset based on quoted market prices, if applicable, or a discounted cash flow analysis.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Foreclosed real estate consists of properties acquired through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. These properties are recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell the property. If the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the property’s fair value at the time of acquisition, a charge-off is recorded against the Allowance. If the fair value of the property at the time of acquisition exceeds the carrying amount of the loan, the excess is recorded either as a recovery to the Allowance if a charge-off had previously been recorded, or as a gain on initial transfer in other noninterest income. Subsequent decreases in the property’s fair value and operating expenses of the property are recognized through charges to other noninterest expense. The fair value of the property acquired is based on third party appraisals, broker price opinions, recent sales activity, or a combination thereof, subject to management judgment.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as assets when mortgage loans are sold and the rights to service those loans are retained. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value by using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income.

The Company’s mortgage servicing rights accounted for under the fair value method are carried on the statements of condition at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in mortgage banking income in the period in which the change occurs. Changes in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights are primarily due to changes in valuation inputs, assumptions, and the collection and realization of expected cash flows.

The Company’s mortgage servicing rights accounted for under the amortization method are initially recorded at fair value. However, these mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. An impairment analysis is prepared on a quarterly basis by estimating the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights and comparing that value to the carrying amount. A valuation allowance is established when the carrying amount of these mortgage servicing rights exceeds fair value.

Goodwill

Goodwill is initially recorded as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination and is subsequently evaluated at least annually for impairment. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level, equivalent to a business segment or one level below. The Company has goodwill assigned to the following reporting units: Investment Services and Retail Banking.

The Company performs its annual evaluation of goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of each year and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The qualitative factors considered include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic and State of Hawaii economic conditions, industry and market conditions and trends, the Company’s financial performance, market capitalization, stock price, and any Company-specific events relevant to the assessment. If the assessment of qualitative factors indicates that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, no further testing is performed; otherwise an impairment test is performed. Prior to 2017, the goodwill impairment test was a two-step test. The first step compared the estimated fair value of identified reporting units with their carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit was less than the carrying value, the second step was required to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and the amount of goodwill impairment, if any. In 2017, the Company elected to early adopt ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” The guidance removed Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance remained largely unchanged. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are prohibited. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company’s goodwill impairment evaluation, based on its qualitative assessment, indicated there was no impairment.

Non-Marketable Equity Securities

The Company is required to own Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Des Moines and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock as a condition of membership. These non-marketable equity securities are accounted for at cost which equals par or redemption value. These securities do not have a readily determinable fair value as their ownership is restricted and there is no market for these securities. These securities can only be redeemed or sold at their par value and only to the respective issuing government supported institution or to another member institution. The Company records these non-marketable equity securities as a component of other assets, which are periodically evaluated for impairment. Management considers these non-marketable equity securities to be long-term investments. Accordingly, when evaluating these securities for impairment, management considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Company purchases life insurance policies on the lives of certain officers and employees and is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. The Company invests in these Bank-Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) policies to provide an efficient form of funding for long-term retirement and other employee benefits costs. The Company records these BOLI policies in the consolidated statements of condition at cash surrender value, with changes recorded in noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

The Company enters into agreements under which it sells securities subject to an obligation to repurchase the same or similar securities. Under these arrangements, the Company may transfer legal control over the assets but still retain effective control through an agreement that both entitles and obligates the Company to repurchase the assets. As a result, securities sold under agreements to repurchase are accounted for as collateralized financing arrangements (i.e., secured borrowings) and not as a sale and subsequent repurchase of securities. The obligation to repurchase the securities is reflected as a liability in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition, while the securities underlying the securities sold under agreements to repurchase remain in the respective asset accounts. See Note 19 Balance Sheet Offsetting for more information.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company incurs certain employment-related expenses associated with its two frozen pension plans and a postretirement benefit plan (the “Plans”). In order to measure the expense associated with the Plans, various assumptions are made including the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, anticipated mortality rates, and expected future healthcare costs. The assumptions are based on historical experience as well as current facts and circumstances. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its Plans. As of the measurement date, plan assets are determined based on fair value, generally representing observable market prices. The projected benefit obligation is primarily determined based on the present value of projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate.

Net periodic pension benefit costs include interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, the expected return on plan assets based on actuarially derived market-related values, and the amortization of net actuarial gains or losses. Net periodic postretirement benefit costs include service costs, interest costs based on an assumed discount rate, and the amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gains or losses. Differences between expected and actual results in each year are included in the net actuarial gain or loss amount, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The net actuarial gain or loss in excess of a 10% corridor is amortized in net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining expected lives of the pension plan participants and over the average remaining future service years of the postretirement benefit plan participants. The prior service credit is amortized over the average remaining service period to full eligibility for participating employees expected to receive benefits.

The Company recognizes in its consolidated statements of condition an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status. The Company also measures the Plans’ assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the year and recognizes those changes in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Income Taxes

The Parent files a consolidated federal income tax return with the Bank and its subsidiaries. Calculation of the Company’s provision for income taxes requires the interpretation of income tax laws and regulations and the use of estimates and judgments in its determination. The Company is subject to examination by governmental authorities that may give rise to income tax issues due to differing interpretations. Changes to the liability for income taxes also occur due to changes in income tax rates, implementation of new business strategies, resolution of issues with taxing authorities, and newly enacted statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance.

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the corresponding tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are calculated by applying enacted statutory tax rates and tax laws to future years in which temporary differences are expected to reverse. The impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the tax rate change is enacted. A deferred tax valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company’s tax sharing policy provides for the settlement of income taxes between each relevant subsidiary as if the subsidiary had filed a separate return. Payments are made to the Parent by subsidiaries with tax liabilities and subsidiaries that generate tax benefits receive payments for those benefits as used.

The Company maintains reserves for certain tax positions that arise in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2019, these positions were evaluated based on an assessment of probabilities as to the likelihood of whether a liability had been incurred. Such assessments are reviewed as events occur and adjustments to the reserves are made as appropriate. In evaluating a tax position for recognition, the Company evaluates whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If the tax position meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, the tax position is measured and recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as the largest amount of tax benefit that, in management’s judgment, is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Treasury Stock

Shares of the Parent’s common stock that are repurchased are recorded in treasury stock at cost. On the date of subsequent re-issuance, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock on a first-in, first-out basis.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive common stock equivalents.

Derivative Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments as an end-user in connection with its risk management activities and to accommodate the needs of its customers. The Company has elected not to qualify for hedge accounting methods addressed under current provisions of GAAP. Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value on the consolidated statements of condition with changes in fair value reported in current period earnings.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company may grant share-based compensation to employees and non-employee directors in the form of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options. The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing price of the Parent’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to restricted stock on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for service-based awards, plus additional recognition of costs associated with accelerated vesting based on the projected attainment of Company performance measures. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are payable solely in cash which are accounted for as other liabilities in the consolidated statements of condition. The fair value of RSUs is initially valued based on the closing price of the Parent’s common stock on the date of grant and is amortized in the statement of income over the vesting period. The RSUs are subsequently remeasured in the same manner described above at the end of each reporting period until settlement. The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and related assumptions. The Company uses historical data to predict option exercise and employee termination behavior. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Parent’s common stock. The expected term of options granted is derived from actual historical exercise activity and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant based on the expected life of the option. The dividend yield is equal to the dividend yield of the Parent’s common stock at the time of grant. The amortization of the expense related to stock options reflects estimated forfeitures, adjusted for actual forfeiture experience. Amortization expense related to stock options is recorded in the statements of income as a component of salaries and benefits for employees and as a component of other noninterest expense for non-employee directors, with a corresponding increase to capital surplus in shareholders’ equity. As the expense related to stock options is recognized, a deferred tax asset is established that represents an estimate of future income tax deductions from the release of restrictions or the exercise of stock options.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017.

International Operations

The Bank has operations that are conducted in certain Pacific Islands that are denominated in U.S. dollars. These operations are classified as domestic.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements apply whenever GAAP requires or permits assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value either on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for an asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based on the assumptions that management believes market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Fair value measurement and disclosure guidance established a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation methodologies. Management maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value measurements. Management reviews and updates the fair value hierarchy classifications of the Company’s assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis. The three-level fair value hierarchy is as follows:



Level 1:	Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available. A contractually binding sales price also provides reliable evidence of fair value.
Level 2:	Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs to the valuation methodology that utilize model-based techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3:	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement; inputs to the valuation methodology that utilize model-based techniques for which significant assumptions are not observable in the market; or inputs to the valuation methodology that requires significant management judgment or estimation, some of which may be internally developed.

In some instances, an instrument may fall into multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level 3 being the lowest) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument.

See Note 14 Employee Benefits and Note 21 Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities for the required fair value measurement disclosures.

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2019

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.” Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): 1) a lease liability, which is the present value of a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments, and 2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting under the new guidance remains largely unchanged as it is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases, and operating leases. Leveraged leases have been eliminated, although lessors can continue to account for existing leveraged leases using the current accounting guidance. Other limited changes were made to align lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and the new revenue recognition standard. All entities will classify leases to determine how to recognize lease-related revenue and expense. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures will be required by lessees and lessors to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The intention is to require enough information to supplement the amounts recorded in the financial statements so that users can understand more about the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. All entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. As the Company elected the transition option provided in ASU No. 2018-11 (see below), the modified retrospective approach was applied on January 1, 2019 (as opposed to January 1, 2017). The Company also elected certain relief options offered in ASU 2016-02 including the package of practical expedients, the option not to separate lease and non-lease components and instead to account for them as a single lease component, and the option not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that arise from short-term leases (i.e., leases with terms of twelve months or less). The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which allows entities to use hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of right-of-use assets. The Company has several lease agreements, such as branch locations, which are considered operating leases, and therefore, were not previously recognized on the Company’s consolidated statements of condition. The new guidance requires these lease agreements to be recognized on the consolidated statements of condition as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of income or the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 23 Leases for more information.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” ASU 2017-12’s objectives are to (1) improve the transparency and understandability of information conveyed to financial statement users about an entity’s risk management activities by better aligning the entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with those risk management activities; and (2) reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedge accounting by preparers. ASU No. 2017-12 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company currently does not designate any derivative financial instruments as formal hedging relationships, and therefore, does not currently utilize hedge accounting. As such, ASU No. 2017-12 did not impact the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases - Targeted Improvements” to provide entities with relief from the costs of implementing certain aspects of the new leasing standard, ASU No. 2016-02. Specifically, under the amendments in ASU 2018-11: (1) entities may elect not to recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to the new leasing standard, and (2) lessors may elect not to separate lease and non-lease components when certain conditions are met. The amendments have the same effective date as ASU 2016-02 (January 1, 2019, for the Company). The Company adopted ASU 2018-11 on its required effective date of January 1, 2019, and elected both transition options mentioned above. ASU 2018-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-20, “Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors.” ASU 2018-20 (1) allows lessors to make an accounting policy election of presenting sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees on a net basis, (2) requires a lessor to exclude lessor costs paid directly by a lessee to third parties on the lessor’s behalf and include lessor costs that are paid by the lessor and reimbursed by the lessee in the measurement of variable lease revenue and the associated expense, and (3) clarifies that when lessors allocate variable payments to lease and non-lease components they are required to follow the recognition guidance in the new leases standard for the lease component and other applicable guidance, such as the new revenue standard, for the non-lease component. The Company adopted ASU 2018-20 on its required effective date of January 1, 2019, and elected to present sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees on a net basis as described in (1) above. ASU 2018-20 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-01, “Leases: Codification Improvements.” This ASU (1) states that for lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers, the fair value of the underlying asset is its cost, less any volume or trade discounts, as long as there is not a significant amount of time between acquisition of the asset and lease commencement; (2) clarifies that lessors in the scope of ASC 942 (such as the Company) must classify principal payments received from sales-type and direct financing leases in investing activities in the statement of cash flows; and (3) clarifies the transition guidance related to certain interim disclosures provided in the year of adoption. To coincide with the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, the Company elected to early adopt ASU 2019-01 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments.” With respect to Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, ASU 2019-04 clarifies that the reclassification of a debt security from held-to-maturity (“HTM”) to available-for-sale (“AFS”) under the transition guidance in ASU 2017-12, "Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" would not (1) call into question the classification of other HTM securities, (2) be required to actually designate any reclassified security in a last-of-layer hedge, or (3) be restricted from selling any reclassified security. As part of the transition of ASU 2019-04, entities may reclassify securities that would qualify for designation as the hedged item in a last-of-layer hedging relationship from HTM to AFS; however, entities that already made such a reclassification upon their adoption of ASU 2017-12 are precluded from reclassifying additional securities. The Company did not reclassify any securities from HTM to AFS upon adoption of ASU 2017-12. The Company elected to early adopt the amendments to Topic 815 in June 2019. See Note 3 Investment Securities for more information regarding the impact of the transfer of certain HTM debt securities to AFS. The amendments to Topics 326 and 825 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019.