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Investment Securities
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Investment Securities
INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Note 4)

Held to Maturity
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investment securities held to maturity at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,830

 
$
8,665

 
$
—

 
$
147,495

U.S. government agency securities
11,329

 
135

 
—

 
11,464

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
252,185

 
6,692

 
(1,428
)
 
257,449

Municipal bonds
314,405

 
6,438

 
(466
)
 
320,377

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
566,590

 
13,130

 
(1,894
)
 
577,826

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,112,460

 
8,432

 
(18,090
)
 
1,102,802

Trust preferred securities
59,804

 
40

 
(12,554
)
 
47,290

Corporate and other debt securities
36,559

 
1,190

 
(29
)
 
37,720

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
1,925,572

 
$
31,592

 
$
(32,567
)
 
$
1,924,597

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,978

 
$
10,505

 
$
—

 
$
149,483

U.S. government agency securities
12,859

 
271

 
—

 
13,130

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
194,547

 
10,538

 
(10
)
 
205,075

Municipal bonds
310,318

 
11,955

 
(85
)
 
322,188

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
504,865

 
22,493

 
(95
)
 
527,263

Residential mortgage-backed securities
852,289

 
11,018

 
(8,035
)
 
855,272

Trust preferred securities
59,785

 
36

 
(13,384
)
 
46,437

Corporate and other debt securities
27,609

 
1,894

 
(49
)
 
29,454

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
1,596,385

 
$
46,217

 
$
(21,563
)
 
$
1,621,039


The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities held to maturity at December 31, 2016 and 2015 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)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
$
98,114

 
$
(1,428
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
98,114

 
$
(1,428
)
Municipal bonds
27,368

 
(466
)
 
—

 
—

 
27,368

 
(466
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
125,482

 
(1,894
)
 
—

 
—

 
125,482

 
(1,894
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
692,108

 
(14,420
)
 
114,505

 
(3,670
)
 
806,613

 
(18,090
)
Trust preferred securities


 


 
45,898

 
(12,554
)
 
45,898

 
(12,554
)
Corporate and other debt securities
2,971

 
(29
)
 
—

 
—

 
2,971

 
(29
)
Total
$
820,561

 
$
(16,343
)
 
$
160,403

 
$
(16,224
)
 
$
980,964

 
$
(32,567
)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
$
6,837

 
$
(5
)
 
$
1,965

 
$
(5
)
 
$
8,802

 
$
(10
)
Municipal bonds
8,814

 
(72
)
 
10,198

 
(13
)
 
19,012

 
(85
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
15,651

 
(77
)
 
12,163

 
(18
)
 
27,814

 
(95
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
244,440

 
(2,916
)
 
162,756

 
(5,119
)
 
407,196

 
(8,035
)
Trust preferred securities
—

 
—

 
45,047

 
(13,384
)
 
45,047

 
(13,384
)
Corporate and other debt securities
2,951

 
$
(49
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,951

 
$
(49
)
Total
$
263,042

 
$
(3,042
)
 
$
219,966

 
$
(18,521
)
 
$
483,008

 
$
(21,563
)

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 December 31, 2016 was 132 as compared to 74 at December 31, 2015.
The unrealized losses within the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the held to maturity portfolio at December 31, 2016 mostly related to investment grade securities issued by Ginnie Mae.
The unrealized losses existing for more than twelve months for trust preferred securities at December 31, 2016 primarily related to four non-rated single-issuer 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 December 31, 2016.

Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2016 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 2015, Valley sold one corporate debt security classified as held to maturity with an amortized cost of $9.8 million. See "Realized Gains and Losses" section below for further details regarding this transaction.
As of December 31, 2016, 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 $968.0 million.
The contractual maturities of investments in debt securities held to maturity at December 31, 2016 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. 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
85,139

 
$
85,139

Due after one year through five years
191,207

 
199,327

Due after five years through ten years
364,471

 
377,665

Due after ten years
172,295

 
159,664

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,112,460

 
1,102,802

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
1,925,572

 
$
1,924,597


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 6.7 years at December 31, 2016.
Available for Sale
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investment securities available for sale at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
51,020

 
$
6

 
$
(1,435
)
 
$
49,591

U.S. government agency securities
22,815

 
232

 
(6
)
 
23,041

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
40,696

 
70

 
(424
)
 
40,342

Municipal bonds
80,045

 
147

 
(767
)
 
79,425

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
120,741

 
217

 
(1,191
)
 
119,767

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,029,827

 
2,061

 
(16,346
)
 
1,015,542

Trust preferred securities*
10,164

 
—

 
(2,155
)
 
8,009

Corporate and other debt securities
60,651

 
436

 
(522
)
 
60,565

Equity securities
20,505

 
1,114

 
(761
)
 
20,858

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,315,723

 
$
4,066

 
$
(22,416
)
 
$
1,297,373

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
551,173

 
$
4

 
$
(1,704
)
 
$
549,473

U.S. government agency securities
29,316

 
665

 
(18
)
 
29,963

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
44,285

 
196

 
(67
)
 
44,414

Municipal bonds
80,717

 
209

 
(374
)
 
80,552

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
125,002

 
405

 
(441
)
 
124,966

Residential mortgage-backed securities
701,764

 
3,348

 
(8,684
)
 
696,428

Trust preferred securities*
10,458

 
—

 
(2,054
)
 
8,404

Corporate and other debt securities
78,202

 
1,239

 
(1,889
)
 
77,552

Equity securities
21,022

 
575

 
(1,522
)
 
20,075

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,516,937

 
$
6,236

 
$
(16,312
)
 
$
1,506,861

 

*
Includes two pooled trust preferred securities, principally collateralized by securities issued by banks and insurance companies, at December 31, 2016 and 2015.


The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities available for sale at December 31, 2016 and 2015 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)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
48,660

 
$
(1,435
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
48,660

 
$
(1,435
)
U.S. government agency securities
2,530

 
(4
)
 
4,034

 
(2
)
 
6,564

 
(6
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
28,628

 
(404
)
 
753

 
(20
)
 
29,381

 
(424
)
Municipal bonds
42,573

 
(506
)
 
11,081

 
(261
)
 
53,654

 
(767
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
71,201

 
(910
)
 
11,834

 
(281
)
 
83,035

 
(1,191
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
788,030

 
(11,889
)
 
132,718

 
(4,457
)
 
920,748

 
(16,346
)
Trust preferred securities


 


 
8,009

 
(2,155
)
 
8,009

 
(2,155
)
Corporate and other debt securities
32,292

 
(294
)
 
15,192

 
(228
)
 
47,484

 
(522
)
Equity securities
—

 
—

 
14,883

 
(761
)
 
14,883

 
(761
)
Total
$
942,713

 
$
(14,532
)
 
$
186,670

 
$
(7,884
)
 
$
1,129,383

 
$
(22,416
)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
548,538

 
$
(1,704
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
548,538

 
$
(1,704
)
U.S. government agency securities
3,489

 
(5
)
 
4,736

 
(13
)
 
8,225

 
(18
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
24,359

 
(67
)
 
—

 
—

 
24,359

 
(67
)
Municipal bonds
38,207

 
(128
)
 
13,551

 
(246
)
 
51,758

 
(374
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
62,566

 
(195
)
 
13,551

 
(246
)
 
76,117

 
(441
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
293,615

 
(4,147
)
 
164,010

 
(4,537
)
 
457,625

 
(8,684
)
Trust preferred securities
—

 
—

 
8,404

 
(2,054
)
 
8,404

 
(2,054
)
Corporate and other debt securities
21,203

 
(471
)
 
36,137

 
(1,418
)
 
57,340

 
(1,889
)
Equity securities
—

 
—

 
14,273

 
(1,522
)
 
14,273

 
(1,522
)
Total
$
929,411

 
$
(6,522
)
 
$
241,111

 
$
(9,790
)
 
$
1,170,522

 
$
(16,312
)

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 December 31, 2016 was 298 as compared to 291 at December 31, 2015.
The unrealized losses more than twelve months for the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2016 largely related to several investment grade securities mainly issued by Ginnie Mae.
The unrealized losses for trust preferred securities at December 31, 2016 in the more than twelve months category in the table above entirely relate to 2 pooled trust preferred securities with a combined amortized cost of $10.2 million and a fair value of $8.0 million. One of the two pooled trust preferred securities had an unrealized loss of $1.3 million and an investment grade rating at December 31, 2016.
As of December 31, 2016, 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 $537.4 million.
The contractual maturities of investments securities available for sale at December 31, 2016 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. 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
18,770

 
$
18,654

Due after one year through five years
73,904

 
74,158

Due after five years through ten years
114,174

 
112,063

Due after ten years
58,543

 
56,098

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,029,827

 
1,015,542

Equity securities
20,505

 
20,858

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,315,723

 
$
1,297,373


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 December 31, 2016 was 8.6 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.
Among other securities, our investments in the private label mortgage-backed securities, trust preferred securities (including two pooled securities), corporate bonds, perpetual preferred securities and bank issued corporate bonds may pose a higher risk of future impairment charges to us as a result of the uncertain economic environment and its potential negative effect on the future performance of the security issuers and, if applicable, the underlying mortgage loan collateral of the security.
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 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.
For residential mortgage-backed securities, Valley estimates loss projections for each security by stressing the cash flows from the individual loans collateralizing the security using expected default rates, loss severities, and prepayment speeds, in conjunction with the underlying credit enhancement (if applicable) for each security. Based on collateral and origination vintage specific assumptions, a range of possible cash flows is identified to determine whether other-than-temporary impairment exists.
For the single-issuer trust preferred securities and corporate and other debt securities, Valley reviews each portfolio to determine if all the securities are paying in accordance with their terms and have no deferrals of interest or defaults. A deferral event by a bank holding company for which Valley holds trust preferred securities may require the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment charge if Valley determines that it is more likely than not that all contractual interest and principal cash flows may not be collected. Among other factors, the probability of the collection of all interest and principal determined by Valley in its impairment analysis declines if there is an increase in the estimated deferral period of the issuer. Additionally, a FDIC receivership for any single-issuer would result in an impairment and significant loss. Including the other factors outlined above, Valley analyzes the performance of the issuers on a quarterly basis, including a review of performance data from the issuers’ most recent bank regulatory report, if applicable, to assess their credit risk and the probability of impairment of the contractual cash flows of the applicable security. All of the issuers had capital ratios at December 31, 2016 that were at or above the minimum amounts to be considered a “well-capitalized” financial institution, if applicable, and/or have maintained performance levels adequate to support the contractual cash flows of the trust preferred securities.
Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2016 represents an other-than-temporary impairment, as management mainly attributes the declines in value to changes in interest rates and recent 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.
At December 31, 2016, approximately 43 percent of the $686.4 million carrying value of obligations of states and political subdivisions were issued by the states of (or municipalities within) New Jersey, New York, Utah and Maryland. The obligations of states and political subdivisions mainly consist of general obligation bonds and, to much lesser extent, special revenue bonds which had an aggregated amortized cost and fair value of $20.3 million and $20.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016. The special revenue bonds were mainly issued by the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey, as well as various school districts. As part of Valley’s pre-purchase analysis and on-going quarterly assessment of impairment of the obligations of states and political subdivisions, our Credit Risk Management Department conducts a financial analysis and risk rating assessment of each security issuer based on the issuer’s most recently issued financial statements and other publicly available information. Substantially all of these investments are investment grade. As of December 31, 2016, these securities are expected to perform in accordance with their contractual terms and, as a result, Valley expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities.

For the two pooled trust preferred securities, Valley evaluates the projected cash flows from each of its tranches in the two securities to determine if they are adequate to support their future contractual principal and interest payments. Valley assesses the credit risk and probability of impairment of the contractual cash flows by projecting the default rates over the life of the security. Higher projected default rates will decrease the expected future cash flows from each security. If the projected decrease in cash flows affects the cash flows projected for the tranche held by Valley, the security would be considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
The perpetual preferred securities, reported in equity securities, are hybrid investments that are assessed for impairment by Valley as if they were debt securities. Therefore, Valley assessed the creditworthiness of each security issuer, as well as any potential change in the anticipated cash flows of the securities as of December 31, 2016. Based on this analysis, management believes the declines in fair value of these securities are attributable to a lack of liquidity in the marketplace and are not reflective of any deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuers.
Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired Securities
There was no other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings as a result of Valley's impairment analysis of its securities during 2016 , 2015 and 2014. At December 31, 2016, four previously impaired private label mortgage-backed securities had a combined amortized cost of $10.2 million and fair value of $9.9 million, respectively, while one previously impaired pooled trust preferred security had an amortized cost of $2.8 million and fair value of $1.9 million, respectively.
The previously impaired trust preferred securities discussed above were not accruing interest during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. See Note 1 for details regarding Valley's policy for the recognition of interest on impaired debt securities.
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 recognized in earnings, for which a portion of the impairment loss (non-credit factors) was recognized in other comprehensive income or loss for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014: 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
5,837

 
$
8,947

 
$
9,990

Accretion of credit loss impairment due to an increase in expected cash flows
(921
)
 
(728
)
 
(661
)
Sales
—

 
(2,382
)
 
(382
)
Balance, end of period
$
4,916

 
$
5,837

 
$
8,947



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. The credit loss component increases if other-than-temporary impairments (initial and subsequent) are recognized in earnings for credit impaired debt securities. 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, (iii) the security is fully written down, or (iv) Valley sells, intends to sell or believes it will be required to sell previously credit impaired debt securities.
Realized Gains and Losses
Gross gains and losses realized on sales, maturities and other securities transactions included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Sales transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$
271

 
$
3,274

 
$
746

Gross losses
(58
)
 
(947
)
 
(2
)
 
$
213

 
$
2,327

 
$
744

Maturities and other securities transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$
615

 
$
293

 
$
10

Gross losses
(51
)
 
(133
)
 
(9
)
 
$
564

 
$
160

 
$
1

Gains on securities transactions, net
$
777

 
$
2,487

 
$
745