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Investment Securities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Investment Securities
Investment Securities

Held to Maturity

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of securities held to maturity at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
139,051

 
$
11,025

 
$

 
$
150,076

U.S. government agency securities
13,523

 
279

 

 
13,802

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
195,735

 
7,226

 
(1,114
)
 
201,847

Municipal bonds
302,393

 
9,142

 
(983
)
 
310,552

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
498,128

 
16,368

 
(2,097
)
 
512,399

Residential mortgage-backed securities
965,647

 
14,280

 
(10,379
)
 
969,548

Trust preferred securities
79,617

 
92

 
(13,241
)
 
66,468

Corporate and other debt securities
24,609

 
2,393

 

 
27,002

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
1,720,575

 
$
44,437

 
$
(25,717
)
 
$
1,739,295

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
139,121

 
$
12,179

 
$

 
$
151,300

U.S. government agency securities
14,081

 
304

 

 
14,385

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
197,440

 
9,410

 
(412
)
 
206,438

Municipal bonds
302,578

 
10,955

 
(278
)
 
313,255

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
500,018

 
20,365

 
(690
)
 
519,693

Residential mortgage-backed securities
986,992

 
18,233

 
(6,244
)
 
998,981

Trust preferred securities
98,456

 
167

 
(12,380
)
 
86,243

Corporate and other debt securities
39,648

 
5,726

 

 
45,374

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
1,778,316

 
$
56,974

 
$
(19,314
)
 
$
1,815,976


The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities held to maturity at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 
 
Less than
Twelve Months
 
More than
Twelve Months
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
$
54,550

 
$
(1,033
)
 
$
1,888

 
$
(81
)
 
$
56,438

 
$
(1,114
)
Municipal bonds
44,292

 
(773
)
 
10,034

 
(210
)
 
54,326

 
(983
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
98,842

 
(1,806
)
 
11,922

 
(291
)
 
110,764

 
(2,097
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
317,973

 
(4,516
)
 
166,958

 
(5,863
)
 
484,931

 
(10,379
)
Trust preferred securities
4,738

 
(104
)
 
60,285

 
(13,137
)
 
65,023

 
(13,241
)
Total
$
421,553

 
$
(6,426
)
 
$
239,165

 
$
(19,291
)
 
$
660,718

 
$
(25,717
)
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
$
4,927

 
$
(50
)
 
$
19,050

 
$
(362
)
 
$
23,977

 
$
(412
)
Municipal bonds

 

 
28,815

 
(278
)
 
28,815

 
(278
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
4,927

 
(50
)
 
47,865

 
(640
)
 
52,792

 
(690
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
107,357

 
(563
)
 
276,580

 
(5,681
)
 
383,937

 
(6,244
)
Trust preferred securities

 

 
66,194

 
(12,380
)
 
66,194

 
(12,380
)
Total
$
112,284

 
$
(613
)
 
$
390,639

 
$
(18,701
)
 
$
502,923

 
$
(19,314
)


The unrealized losses on investment securities held to maturity are primarily due to changes in interest rates (including, in certain cases, changes in credit spreads) and, in some cases, lack of liquidity in the marketplace. The total number of security positions in the securities held to maturity portfolio in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2015 was 108 as compared to 57 at December 31, 2014.

The unrealized losses within the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the available for sale portfolio at June 30, 2015 largely related to several investment grade securities mainly issued by Fannie Mae.
The unrealized losses existing for more than twelve months for trust preferred securities at June 30, 2015 primarily related to four non-rated single-issuer trust preferred securities issued by bank holding companies. All single-issuer trust preferred securities classified as held to maturity are paying in accordance with their terms, have no deferrals of interest or defaults and, if applicable, the issuers meet the regulatory capital requirements to be considered “well-capitalized institutions” at June 30, 2015.
Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of June 30, 2015 included in the table above represents other-than-temporary impairment as management mainly attributes the declines in fair value to changes in interest rates and market volatility, not credit quality or other factors. Based on a comparison of the present value of expected cash flows to the amortized cost, management believes there are no credit losses on these securities. Valley does not have the intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell, the securities contained in the table above before the recovery of their amortized cost basis or maturity.
During the first quarter of 2015, Valley sold one corporate debt security classified as held to maturity with amortized costs of $9.8 million. See "Realized Gains and Losses" section below for further details regarding this transaction.
As of June 30, 2015, the fair value of investments held to maturity that were pledged to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements, lines of credit, and for other purposes required by law, was $974.3 million.
The contractual maturities of investments in debt securities held to maturity at June 30, 2015 are set forth in the table below. Maturities may differ from contractual maturities in residential mortgage-backed securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid without any penalties. Therefore, residential mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary.  
 
June 30, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
65,770

 
$
65,782

Due after one year through five years
65,368

 
69,690

Due after five years through ten years
336,469

 
353,088

Due after ten years
287,321

 
281,187

Residential mortgage-backed securities
965,647

 
969,548

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
1,720,575

 
$
1,739,295


Actual maturities of debt securities may differ from those presented above since certain obligations provide the issuer the right to call or prepay the obligation prior to scheduled maturity without penalty.
The weighted-average remaining expected life for residential mortgage-backed securities held to maturity was 5.6 years at June 30, 2015.

Available for Sale
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of securities available for sale at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
51,052

 
$
7

 
$
(1,786
)
 
$
49,273

U.S. government agency securities
25,862

 
667

 

 
26,529

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
11,040

 

 
(106
)
 
10,934

Municipal bonds
33,323

 
40

 
(887
)
 
32,476

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
44,363

 
40

 
(993
)
 
43,410

Residential mortgage-backed securities
591,342

 
3,184

 
(8,735
)
 
585,791

Trust preferred securities*
10,587

 

 
(1,969
)
 
8,618

Corporate and other debt securities
72,897

 
1,428

 
(841
)
 
73,484

Equity securities
21,022

 
689

 
(1,242
)
 
20,469

Total investment securities available for sale
$
817,125

 
$
6,015

 
$
(15,566
)
 
$
807,574

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
51,063

 
$
2

 
$
(1,622
)
 
$
49,443

U.S. government agency securities
33,163

 
748

 
(86
)
 
33,825

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
11,160

 

 
(24
)
 
11,136

Municipal bonds
33,340

 
127

 
(552
)
 
32,915

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
44,500

 
127

 
(576
)
 
44,051

Residential mortgage-backed securities
643,382

 
5,854

 
(4,960
)
 
644,276

Trust preferred securities*
23,194

 
296

 
(2,953
)
 
20,537

Corporate and other debt securities
73,585

 
1,645

 
(1,218
)
 
74,012

Equity securities
21,071

 
671

 
(916
)
 
20,826

Total investment securities available for sale
$
889,958

 
$
9,343

 
$
(12,331
)
 
$
886,970

 
*
Includes two and three pooled trust preferred securities, principally collateralized by securities issued by banks and insurance companies, at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.


The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities available for sale at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: 
 
Less than
Twelve Months
 
More than
Twelve Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
48,332

 
$
(1,786
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
48,332

 
$
(1,786
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
10,934

 
(106
)
 

 

 
10,934

 
(106
)
Municipal bonds
20,525

 
(651
)
 
11,053

 
(236
)
 
31,578

 
(887
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
31,459

 
(757
)
 
11,053

 
(236
)
 
42,512

 
(993
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
252,728

 
(2,742
)
 
177,821

 
(5,993
)
 
430,549

 
(8,735
)
Trust preferred securities

 

 
8,618

 
(1,969
)
 
8,618

 
(1,969
)
Corporate and other debt securities
17,878

 
(91
)
 
37,142

 
(750
)
 
55,020

 
(841
)
Equity securities
136

 
(15
)
 
14,417

 
(1,227
)
 
14,553

 
(1,242
)
Total
$
350,533

 
$
(5,391
)
 
$
249,051

 
$
(10,175
)
 
$
599,584

 
$
(15,566
)
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$

 
$

 
$
48,504

 
$
(1,622
)
 
$
48,504

 
$
(1,622
)
U.S. government agency securities

 

 
5,442

 
(86
)
 
5,442

 
(86
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies

 

 
11,136

 
(24
)
 
11,136

 
(24
)
Municipal bonds
13,337

 
(426
)
 
14,637

 
(126
)
 
27,974

 
(552
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
13,337

 
(426
)
 
25,773

 
(150
)
 
39,110

 
(576
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
57,543

 
(121
)
 
244,910

 
(4,839
)
 
302,453

 
(4,960
)
Trust preferred securities
2,210

 
(117
)
 
12,085

 
(2,836
)
 
14,295

 
(2,953
)
Corporate and other debt securities
27,500

 
(294
)
 
28,269

 
(924
)
 
55,769

 
(1,218
)
Equity securities
158

 
(41
)
 
14,769

 
(875
)
 
14,927

 
(916
)
Total
$
100,748

 
$
(999
)
 
$
379,752

 
$
(11,332
)
 
$
480,500

 
$
(12,331
)

The unrealized losses on investment securities available for sale are primarily due to changes in interest rates (including, in certain cases, changes in credit spreads) and, in some cases, lack of liquidity in the marketplace. The total number of security positions in the securities available for sale portfolio in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2015 was 142 as compared to 96 at December 31, 2014.
The unrealized losses within the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the available for sale portfolio at June 30, 2015 largely related to several investment grade residential mortgage-backed securities mainly issued by Ginnie Mae.
The unrealized losses for trust preferred securities at June 30, 2015 for more than twelve months in the table above largely relate to 2 pooled trust preferred securities with an amortized cost of $10.6 million and a fair value of $8.6 million. One of the two pooled trust preferred securities had a unrealized loss of $1.3 million and an investment grade rating at June 30, 2015. The second pooled trust preferred security had a non-investment grade rating and was initially other-than-temporarily impaired in 2008 with additional estimated credit losses recognized in 2009 and 2011, and is not accruing interest. All of the single-issuer trust preferred securities are paying in accordance with their terms and have no deferrals of interest or defaults and, if applicable, meet the regulatory capital requirements to be considered “well-capitalized institutions” at June 30, 2015.
Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of June 30, 2015 represents an other-than-temporary impairment, as management mainly attributes the declines in value to changes in interest rates and market volatility, not credit quality or other factors. Based on a comparison of the present value of expected cash flows to the amortized cost, management believes there are no credit losses on these securities. Valley has no intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell, the securities contained in the table above before the recovery of their amortized cost basis or, if necessary, maturity.
As of June 30, 2015, the fair value of securities available for sale that were pledged to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements, lines of credit, and for other purposes required by law, was $225.6 million.
The contractual maturities of investment securities available for sale at June 30, 2015 are set forth in the following table. Maturities may differ from contractual maturities in residential mortgage-backed securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid without any penalties. Therefore, residential mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary.
 
June 30, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
500

 
$
500

Due after one year through five years
64,469

 
65,586

Due after five years through ten years
78,693

 
76,336

Due after ten years
61,099

 
58,892

Residential mortgage-backed securities
591,342

 
585,791

Equity securities
21,022

 
20,469

Total investment securities available for sale
$
817,125

 
$
807,574


Actual maturities of debt securities may differ from those presented above since certain obligations provide the issuer the right to call or prepay the obligation prior to scheduled maturity without penalty.
The weighted average remaining expected life for residential mortgage-backed securities available for sale at June 30, 2015 was 4.5 years.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis

Valley records impairment charges on its investment securities when the decline in fair value is considered other-than-temporary. Numerous factors, including lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities; decline in the creditworthiness of the issuer; absence of reliable pricing information for investment securities; adverse changes in business climate; adverse actions by regulators; prolonged decline in value of equity investments; or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment could have a negative effect on Valley’s investment portfolio and may result in other-than-temporary impairment on certain investment securities in future periods. Valley’s investment portfolios include private label mortgage-backed securities, trust preferred securities principally issued by bank holding companies (including two pooled trust preferred securities), corporate bonds, and perpetual preferred and common equity securities issued by banks. These investments may pose a higher risk of future impairment charges by Valley as a result of the unpredictable nature of the U.S. economy and its potential negative effect on the future performance of the security issuers and, if applicable, the underlying mortgage loan collateral of the security.

There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. At June 30, 2015, four previously impaired private label mortgage-backed securities (prior to December 31, 2012) had a combined amortized cost and fair value of $12.7 million and $12.6 million, respectively, while one previously impaired pooled trust preferred security had a combined amortized cost and fair value of $2.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The previously impaired pooled trust preferred security was not accruing interest during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. Additionally, one previously impaired pooled trust preferred security was sold during the first quarter of 2015 for an immaterial gain. See the table and discussion below for additional information.

The following table presents the changes in the credit loss component of cumulative other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities classified as either held to maturity or available for sale that Valley has previously recognized in earnings, for which a portion of the impairment loss (non-credit factors) was recognized in other comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014: 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
6,421

 
$
9,792

 
$
8,947

 
$
9,990

Accretion of credit loss impairment due to an increase in expected cash flows
(34
)
 
(110
)
 
(178
)
 
(308
)
Sales

 

 
(2,382
)
 

Balance, end of period
$
6,387

 
$
9,682

 
$
6,387

 
$
9,682



The credit loss component of the impairment loss represents the difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the security prior to considering credit losses. The beginning balance represents the credit loss component for debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment occurred prior to each period presented. Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings for credit impaired debt securities are presented as additions in two components based upon whether the current period is the first time the debt security was credit impaired (initial credit impairment) or is not the first time the debt security was credit impaired (subsequent credit impairment). The credit loss component is reduced if Valley sells, intends to sell or believes it will be required to sell previously credit impaired debt securities. Additionally, the credit loss component is reduced if (i) Valley receives cash flows in excess of what it expected to receive over the remaining life of the credit impaired debt security, (ii) the security matures or (iii) the security is fully written down.
Realized Gains and Losses

Gross gains (losses) realized on sales, maturities and other securities transactions related to investment securities included in earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Sales transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$

 
$

 
$
3,274

 
$

Gross losses

 

 
(947
)
 

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,327

 
$

Maturities and other securities transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$
40

 
$
7

 
$
129

 
$
8

Gross losses
(132
)
 

 
(132
)
 
(9
)
 
$
(92
)
 
$
7

 
$
(3
)
 
$
(1
)
Total (losses) gains on securities transactions, net
$
(92
)
 
$
7

 
$
2,324

 
$
(1
)


Valley recognized gross gains from sales transactions of investment securities totaling $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 due to the sale of corporate debt securities and trust preferred securities with amortized cost totaling $25.9 million. These transactions included a corporate debt security classified as held to maturity and a previously impaired pooled trust preferred security with amortized costs of $9.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Additionally, Valley recognized $947 thousand of gross losses during the six months ended June 30, 2015 due to the sale of mostly trust preferred securities with a total amortized cost of $8.3 million. The vast majority of the sales of investment securities were due to a one-time investment portfolio re-balancing during the first quarter due to changes in our regulatory capital calculation under the new Basel III regulatory capital reform (effective for Valley on January 1, 2015). Under ASC Topic 320, “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities,” the one-time sale of held to maturity securities based upon the change in capital requirements is permitted without tainting the remaining held to maturity investment portfolio.

Trading Securities

The fair value of trading securities (consisting of 2 single-issuer bank trust preferred securities) was $14.2 million at December 31, 2014. During the first quarter of 2015, one of the two securities was redeemed by the issuer and the other security was sold prior to its issuer's call date in April 2015. Both of the securities transactions resulted in an immaterial aggregate net trading loss for the six months ended June 30, 2015 which was included in the other non-interest income category of our consolidated statements of income. Net trading losses were also immaterial for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014. Interest income on trading securities totaled $213 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and $291 thousand and $581 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.