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Investment Securities
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
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, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,517

 
$
3,532

 
$
—

 
$
142,049

U.S. government agency securities
8,721

 
55

 
(135
)
 
8,641

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
341,702

 
4,332

 
(5,735
)
 
340,299

Municipal bonds
243,954

 
3,141

 
(1,361
)
 
245,734

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
585,656

 
7,473

 
(7,096
)
 
586,033

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,266,770

 
3,203

 
(34,368
)
 
1,235,605

Trust preferred securities
37,332

 
77

 
(5,923
)
 
31,486

Corporate and other debt securities
31,250

 
96

 
(217
)
 
31,129

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
2,068,246

 
$
14,436

 
$
(47,739
)
 
$
2,034,943

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,676

 
$
6,581

 
$
—

 
$
145,257

U.S. government agency securities
9,859

 
122

 
—

 
9,981

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
244,272

 
7,083

 
(1,653
)
 
249,702

Municipal bonds
221,606

 
6,199

 
(28
)
 
227,777

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
465,878

 
13,282

 
(1,681
)
 
477,479

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,131,945

 
4,842

 
(18,743
)
 
1,118,044

Trust preferred securities
49,824

 
60

 
(9,796
)
 
40,088

Corporate and other debt securities
46,509

 
532

 
(270
)
 
46,771

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
1,842,691

 
$
25,419

 
$
(30,490
)
 
$
1,837,620


The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities held to maturity at December 31, 2018 and 2017 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, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agency securities
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
6,074

 
$
(135
)
 
$
6,074

 
$
(135
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
16,098

 
(266
)
 
138,437

 
(5,469
)
 
154,535

 
(5,735
)
Municipal bonds
3,335

 
(37
)
 
60,078

 
(1,324
)
 
63,413

 
(1,361
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
19,433

 
(303
)
 
198,515

 
(6,793
)
 
217,948

 
(7,096
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
72,240

 
(852
)
 
846,671

 
(33,516
)
 
918,911

 
(34,368
)
Trust preferred securities
—

 
—

 
30,055

 
(5,923
)
 
30,055

 
(5,923
)
Corporate and other debt securities
9,948

 
(52
)
 
4,835

 
(165
)
 
14,783

 
(217
)
Total
$
101,621

 
$
(1,207
)
 
$
1,086,150

 
$
(46,532
)
 
$
1,187,771

 
$
(47,739
)
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
$
6,342

 
$
(50
)
 
$
53,034

 
$
(1,603
)
 
$
59,376

 
$
(1,653
)
Municipal bonds
4,644

 
(25
)
 
561

 
(3
)
 
5,205

 
(28
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
10,986

 
(75
)
 
53,595

 
(1,606
)
 
64,581

 
(1,681
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
344,216

 
(2,357
)
 
570,969

 
(16,386
)
 
915,185

 
(18,743
)
Trust preferred securities
—

 
—

 
38,674

 
(9,796
)
 
38,674

 
(9,796
)
Corporate and other debt securities
9,980

 
(270
)
 
—

 
—

 
9,980

 
(270
)
Total
$
365,182

 
$
(2,702
)
 
$
663,238

 
$
(27,788
)
 
$
1,028,420

 
$
(30,490
)

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 held to maturity portfolio in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2018 was 378 as compared to 152 at December 31, 2017.
The unrealized losses existing for more than twelve months within the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the held to maturity portfolio at December 31, 2018 mostly related to investment grade securities issued by Ginnie Mae and Fannie Mae.
The unrealized losses existing for more than twelve months for trust preferred securities at December 31, 2018 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, 2018.
As of December 31, 2018, 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 $1.3 billion.
The contractual maturities of investments in debt securities held to maturity at December 31, 2018 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, 2018
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
21,418

 
$
21,459

Due after one year through five years
274,389

 
278,051

Due after five years through ten years
260,835

 
267,813

Due after ten years
244,834

 
232,015

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,266,770

 
1,235,605

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
2,068,246

 
$
2,034,943


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 7.7 years at December 31, 2018.
Available for Sale
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investment securities available for sale at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
50,975

 
$
—

 
$
(1,669
)
 
$
49,306

U.S. government agency securities
36,844

 
71

 
(638
)
 
36,277

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
100,777

 
18

 
(3,682
)
 
97,113

Municipal bonds
101,207

 
209

 
(1,437
)
 
99,979

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
201,984

 
227

 
(5,119
)
 
197,092

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,469,059

 
1,484

 
(40,761
)
 
1,429,782

Corporate and other debt securities
37,542

 
213

 
(668
)
 
37,087

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,796,404

 
$
1,995

 
$
(48,855
)
 
$
1,749,544

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
50,997

 
$
—

 
$
(1,355
)
 
$
49,642

U.S. government agency securities
42,384

 
158

 
(37
)
 
42,505

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
38,435

 
158

 
(374
)
 
38,219

Municipal bonds
74,752

 
477

 
(564
)
 
74,665

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
113,187

 
635

 
(938
)
 
112,884

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,239,534

 
2,423

 
(18,662
)
 
1,223,295

Trust preferred securities
3,726

 
—

 
(512
)
 
3,214

Corporate and other debt securities
50,701

 
623

 
(160
)
 
51,164

Equity securities
10,505

 
1,190

 
(494
)
 
11,201

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,511,034

 
$
5,029

 
$
(22,158
)
 
$
1,493,905



The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities available for sale at December 31, 2018 and 2017 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, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
49,306

 
$
(1,669
)
 
$
49,306

 
$
(1,669
)
U.S. government agency securities
2,120

 
(20
)
 
26,775

 
(618
)
 
28,895

 
(638
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
17,560

 
(95
)
 
75,718

 
(3,587
)
 
93,278

 
(3,682
)
Municipal bonds
5,018

 
(106
)
 
70,286

 
(1,331
)
 
75,304

 
(1,437
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
22,578

 
(201
)
 
146,004

 
(4,918
)
 
168,582

 
(5,119
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
119,645

 
(668
)
 
1,221,942

 
(40,093
)
 
1,341,587

 
(40,761
)
Corporate and other debt securities
12,339

 
(161
)
 
12,397

 
(507
)
 
24,736

 
(668
)
Total
$
156,682

 
$
(1,050
)
 
$
1,456,424

 
$
(47,805
)
 
$
1,613,106

 
$
(48,855
)
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
916

 
$
(2
)
 
$
48,726

 
$
(1,353
)
 
$
49,642

 
$
(1,355
)
U.S. government agency securities
31,177

 
(37
)
 
—

 
—

 
31,177

 
(37
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
13,337

 
(131
)
 
7,792

 
(243
)
 
21,129

 
(374
)
Municipal bonds
31,669

 
(256
)
 
12,133

 
(308
)
 
43,802

 
(564
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
45,006

 
(387
)
 
19,925

 
(551
)
 
64,931

 
(938
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
406,940

 
(2,461
)
 
599,167

 
(16,201
)
 
1,006,107

 
(18,662
)
Trust preferred securities
—

 
—

 
3,214

 
(512
)
 
3,214

 
(512
)
Corporate and other debt securities
5,855

 
(45
)
 
15,115

 
(115
)
 
20,970

 
(160
)
Equity securities
—

 
—

 
5,150

 
(494
)
 
5,150

 
(494
)
Total
$
489,894

 
$
(2,932
)
 
$
691,297

 
$
(19,226
)
 
$
1,181,191

 
$
(22,158
)

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, 2018 was 545 as compared to 327 at December 31, 2017.
The unrealized losses more than twelve months for the residential mortgage-backed securities category of the available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2018 largely related to several investment grade securities mainly issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.
As of December 31, 2018, 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 $1.1 billion.
The contractual maturities of investments securities available for sale at December 31, 2018 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, 2018
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
4,666

 
$
4,643

Due after one year through five years
125,825

 
123,051

Due after five years through ten years
78,305

 
76,640

Due after ten years
118,549

 
115,428

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,469,059

 
1,429,782

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,796,404

 
$
1,749,544


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 was 7.8 years at December 31, 2018.
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; 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 trust preferred securities and corporate bonds (including some 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.
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, 2018 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.
At December 31, 2018, approximately 40.6 percent of the $782.7 million carrying value of obligations of states and political subdivisions were issued by the states of (or municipalities within) New Jersey, Utah, Texas, and Maryland. The obligations of states and political subdivisions mainly consist of general obligation bonds and, to lesser extent, special revenue bonds which had an aggregated amortized cost and fair value of $198.8 million and $193.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018. Special revenue bonds were largely issued by the Utah and Minnesota and other state housing authorities, as well Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. 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, 2018, 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.
There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Management does not believe that any individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2018 included in the investment portfolio tables 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.
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, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in thousands)
Sales transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$
1,769

 
$
—

 
$
271

Gross losses
(3,881
)
 
(25
)
 
(58
)
 
$
(2,112
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
213

Maturities and other securities transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$
42

 
$
43

 
$
615

Gross losses
(272
)
 
(38
)
 
(51
)
 
$
(230
)
 
$
5

 
$
564

(Losses) gains on securities transactions, net
$
(2,342
)
 
$
(20
)
 
$
777



Net losses on sales transactions in 2018 (as presented in the table above) primarily related to the sales of equity securities previously classified as available for sale, certain municipal securities acquired from USAB and all of Valley's private label mortgage-backed securities classified as available for sale, including securities that were previously impaired.