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Investment Securities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Investment Securities Investment Securities

Equity Securities

Equity securities carried at fair value totaled $54.4 million and $41.4 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Valley's equity securities consist mainly of one publicly traded money market mutual fund totaling $41.8 million and $41.4 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The remainder of the balance at June 30, 2020 represents investments made for CRA purposes.

Available for Sale Debt Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of available for sale debt securities at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
50,940

 
$
1,681

 
$

 
$
52,621

U.S. government agency securities
26,778

 
1,174

 
(28
)
 
27,924

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
65,620

 
1,477

 
(54
)
 
67,043

Municipal bonds
79,100

 
1,363

 
(1
)
 
80,462

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
144,720

 
2,840

 
(55
)
 
147,505

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,340,614

 
43,039

 
(927
)
 
1,382,726

Corporate and other debt securities
78,225

 
1,251

 
(864
)
 
78,612

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,641,277

 
$
49,985

 
$
(1,874
)
 
$
1,689,388

December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
50,952

 
$
12

 
$
(21
)
 
$
50,943

U.S. government agency securities
28,982

 
280

 
(19
)
 
29,243

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
78,116

 
540

 
(83
)
 
78,573

Municipal bonds
90,662

 
902

 
(86
)
 
91,478

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
168,778

 
1,442

 
(169
)
 
170,051

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,248,814

 
11,234

 
(5,262
)
 
1,254,786

Corporate and other debt securities
61,261

 
628

 
(111
)
 
61,778

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,558,787

 
$
13,596

 
$
(5,582
)
 
$
1,566,801




The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related securities available for sale at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 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, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agency securities
$

 
$

 
$
1,627

 
$
(28
)
 
$
1,627

 
$
(28
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
24,913

 
(37
)
 
1,036

 
(17
)
 
25,949

 
(54
)
Municipal bonds
210

 
(1
)
 

 

 
210

 
(1
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
25,123

 
(38
)
 
1,036

 
(17
)
 
26,159

 
(55
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
101,162

 
(458
)
 
49,368

 
(469
)
 
150,530

 
(927
)
Corporate and other debt securities
27,194

 
(864
)
 

 

 
27,194

 
(864
)
Total
$
153,479

 
$
(1,360
)
 
$
52,031

 
$
(514
)
 
$
205,510

 
$
(1,874
)
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
25,019

 
$
(21
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
25,019

 
$
(21
)
U.S. government agency securities

 

 
1,783

 
(19
)
 
1,783

 
(19
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
18,540

 
(21
)
 
8,755

 
(62
)
 
27,295

 
(83
)
Municipal bonds

 

 
13,177

 
(86
)
 
13,177

 
(86
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
18,540

 
(21
)
 
21,932

 
(148
)
 
40,472

 
(169
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
240,412

 
(1,194
)
 
282,798

 
(4,068
)
 
523,210

 
(5,262
)
Corporate and other debt securities
5,139

 
(111
)
 

 

 
5,139

 
(111
)
Total
$
289,110

 
$
(1,347
)
 
$
306,513

 
$
(4,235
)
 
$
595,623

 
$
(5,582
)

Within the available for sale debt securities portfolio, the total number of security positions in an unrealized loss position was 95 and 182 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
As of June 30, 2020, the fair value of available for sale debt securities 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 available for sale debt securities at June 30, 2020 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, 2020
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
26,643

 
$
26,742

Due after one year through five years
97,248

 
99,501

Due after five years through ten years
104,076

 
106,154

Due after ten years
72,696

 
74,265

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,340,614

 
1,382,726

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,641,277

 
$
1,689,388


Actual maturities of available for sale 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 4.8 years at June 30, 2020.
Impairment Analysis of Available For Sale Debt Securities
Valley's available for sale debt securities portfolio includes corporate bonds and special revenue bonds, among other securities, which 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, including due to the economic effects of COVID-19.
Available for sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses on a quarterly basis. In performing an assessment of whether any decline in fair value is due to a credit loss, Valley considers the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost, changes in credit ratings, any adverse economic conditions, as well as all relevant information at the individual security level such as credit deterioration of the issuer or collateral underlying the security. In assessing the impairment, Valley compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost basis of the security. If it is determined that the decline in fair value was due to credit losses, an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount the fair value is less than amortized cost basis. The non-credit related decrease in the fair value, such as a decline due to changes in market interest rates, is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Valley also assesses the intent to sell the securities (as well as the likelihood of a near-term recovery). If Valley intends to sell an available for sale debt security or it is more likely than not that Valley will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the debt security is written down to its fair value and the write down is charged to the debt security’s fair value at the reporting date with any incremental impairment reported in earnings.

The obligations of states and political subdivisions classified as available for sale include special revenue bonds which had an aggregate amortized cost and fair value of $80.2 million and $81.8 million, respectively, at June 30, 2020. There were $56 thousand in gross unrealized losses associated with the special revenue bonds as of June 30, 2020. Approximately 54 percent of the special revenue bonds were issued by the states of (or municipalities within) Utah, Illinois, North Carolina and Florida. 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. These investments are a mix of municipal bonds with investment grade ratings or non-rated revenue bonds paying in accordance with their contractual terms. The vast majority of the bonds not rated by the rating agencies are state housing finance agency revenue bonds secured by Ginnie Mae securities
that are commonly referred to as Tax Exempt Mortgage Securities (TEMS). Valley continues to monitor the special revenue bond portfolio as part of its quarterly impairment analysis.

Valley has evaluated available for sale debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2020 included in the table above and has determined that the declines in fair value are mainly attributable to 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 recognized no impairment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and, as a result, there is no allowance for credit losses for available for sale debt securities at June 30, 2020.

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, Valley recognized a $2.9 million other-than-temporary credit impairment charge on one special revenue bond classified as available for sale (within the obligations of states and state agencies in the tables above). The credit impairment was due to severe credit deterioration disclosed by the issuer in the second quarter of 2019, as well as the issuer's default on its contractual payment. At June 30, 2020, the impaired security had an adjusted amortized cost and fair value of $680 thousand and $1.4 million, respectively.

Valley discontinues the recognition of interest on debt securities if the securities meet both of the following criteria: (i) regularly scheduled interest payments have not been paid or have been deferred by the issuer, and (ii) full collection of all contractual principal and interest payments is not deemed to be the most likely outcome, resulting in the recognition of other-than-temporary impairment of the security.

Held to Maturity Debt Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of debt securities held to maturity at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,268

 
$
9,147

 
$

 
$
147,415

U.S. government agency securities
6,657

 
264

 

 
6,921

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
280,187

 
8,569

 
(545
)
 
288,211

Municipal bonds
186,649

 
6,876

 

 
193,525

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
466,836

 
15,445

 
(545
)
 
481,736

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,451,581

 
44,327

 
(309
)
 
1,495,599

Trust preferred securities
37,335

 
48

 
(7,483
)
 
29,900

Corporate and other debt securities
32,750

 
556

 
(1
)
 
33,305

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
2,133,427

 
$
69,787

 
$
(8,338
)
 
$
2,194,876

December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,352

 
$
5,761

 
$

 
$
144,113

U.S. government agency securities
7,345

 
58

 
(41
)
 
7,362

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
297,454

 
7,745

 
(529
)
 
304,670

Municipal bonds
203,251

 
5,696

 
(10
)
 
208,937

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
500,705

 
13,441

 
(539
)
 
513,607

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,620,119

 
14,803

 
(5,350
)
 
1,629,572

Trust preferred securities
37,324

 
39

 
(5,981
)
 
31,382

Corporate and other debt securities
32,250

 
454

 
(20
)
 
32,684

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
2,336,095

 
$
34,556

 
$
(11,931
)
 
$
2,358,720


The age of unrealized losses and fair value of related debt securities held to maturity at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 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, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
$
10,544

 
$
(266
)
 
$
20,022

 
$
(279
)
 
$
30,566

 
$
(545
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
10,544

 
(266
)
 
20,022

 
(279
)
 
30,566

 
(545
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
37,394

 
(305
)
 
2,710

 
(4
)
 
40,104

 
(309
)
Trust preferred securities

 

 
28,499

 
(7,483
)
 
28,499

 
(7,483
)
Corporate and other debt securities
17,749

 
(1
)
 

 

 
17,749

 
(1
)
Total
$
65,687

 
$
(572
)
 
$
51,231

 
$
(7,766
)
 
$
116,918

 
$
(8,338
)
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agency securities
$
5,183

 
$
(41
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
5,183

 
$
(41
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
11,178

 
(55
)
 
32,397

 
(474
)
 
43,575

 
(529
)
Municipal bonds

 

 
798

 
(10
)
 
798

 
(10
)
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
11,178

 
(55
)
 
33,195

 
(484
)
 
44,373

 
(539
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
307,885

 
(1,387
)
 
254,915

 
(3,963
)
 
562,800

 
(5,350
)
Trust preferred securities

 

 
29,990

 
(5,981
)
 
29,990

 
(5,981
)
Corporate and other debt securities

 

 
4,980

 
(20
)
 
4,980

 
(20
)
Total
$
324,246

 
$
(1,483
)
 
$
323,080

 
$
(10,448
)
 
$
647,326

 
$
(11,931
)


Within the held to maturity portfolio, the total number of security positions in an unrealized loss position was 26 and 82 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
As of June 30, 2020, the fair value of debt securities 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 June 30, 2020 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, 2020
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year
$
92,432

 
$
93,313

Due after one year through five years
171,778

 
179,833

Due after five years through ten years
203,555

 
215,200

Due after ten years
214,081

 
210,931

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,451,581

 
1,495,599

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
2,133,427

 
$
2,194,876


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 3.9 years at June 30, 2020.

Credit Quality Indicators
Valley monitors the credit quality of the held to maturity debt securities through the use of the most current credit ratings from external rating agencies. The following table summarizes the amortized cost of held to maturity debt securities by external credit rating at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 
AAA/AA/A Rated
 
BBB rated
 
Non-investment grade rated
 
Non-rated
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,268

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
138,268

U.S. government agency securities
6,657

 

 

 

 
6,657

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Obligations of states and state agencies
239,811

 

 
5,686

 
34,690

 
280,187

Municipal bonds
182,140

 

 

 
4,509

 
186,649

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
421,951

 

 
5,686

 
39,199

 
466,836

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,451,581

 

 

 

 
1,451,581

Trust preferred securities

 

 

 
37,335

 
37,335

Corporate and other debt securities

 
5,000

 

 
27,750

 
32,750

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
2,018,457

 
$
5,000

 
$
5,686

 
$
104,284

 
$
2,133,427

December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
138,352

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
138,352

U.S. government agency securities
7,345

 

 

 

 
7,345

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and state agencies
248,533

 
5,722

 

 
43,199

 
297,454

Municipal bonds
202,642

 

 

 
609

 
203,251

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions
451,175

 
5,722

 

 
43,808

 
500,705

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,620,119

 

 

 

 
1,620,119

Trust preferred securities

 

 

 
37,324

 
37,324

Corporate and other debt securities

 
5,000

 

 
27,250

 
32,250

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
2,216,991

 
$
10,722

 
$

 
$
108,382

 
$
2,336,095



Obligations of states and political subdivisions include municipal bonds and revenue bonds issued by various municipal corporations. At June 30, 2020, most of the obligations of states and political subdivisions were rated investment grade and the "non-rated" category included mostly TEMS securities secured by Ginnie Mae securities. Trust preferred securities consist of non-rated single-issuer securities, issued by bank holding companies. Corporate bonds consist of debt primarily issued by banks.

Allowance for Credit Losses for Held to Maturity Debt Securities

Valley has a zero loss expectation for certain securities within the held to maturity portfolio, and therefore it is not required to estimate an allowance for credit losses related to these securities under the CECL standard. After an evaluation of qualitative factors, Valley identified the following securities types which it believes qualify for this exclusion: U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. agency securities, residential mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and collateralized municipal bonds called TEMS.

To measure the expected credit losses on held to maturity debt securities that have loss expectations, Valley estimates the expected credit losses using a discounted cash flow model developed by a third-party. Assumptions used in the model for pools of securities with common risk characteristics include the historical lifetime probability of default and severity of loss in the event of default, with the model incorporating several economic cycles of loss history data to calculate expected credit losses given default at the individual security level. The model is adjusted for a probability
weighted multi-scenario economic forecast to estimate future credit losses. Valley uses a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by a one-year period over which estimated losses revert to historical loss experience for the remaining life of the investment security. The economic forecast methodology and governance for debt securities is aligned with Valley's economic forecast used for the loan portfolio discussed in more detail in Note 8. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

At June 30, 2020, held to maturity debt securities were carried net of allowance for credit losses totaling $1.6 million.
The provision was not material during three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, and there were no net charge-offs of debt securities in the respective periods.