Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Management's Use of Estimates

Management’s Use of Estimates - The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period.  Due to the uncertainty regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, management utilized estimates and assumptions in its evaluation of potential impairment of the Company's right-of-use lease assets, goodwill and intangible assets. Our most significant estimate is the allowance for loan losses. Other estimates include the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, pension and other post-retirement liabilities and an analysis of a need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term is the allowance for loan losses.  In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses, management obtains appraisals for properties.  The allowance for loan losses is management’s best estimate of probable loan losses incurred as of the balance sheet date.  While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions.

New Accounting Pronouncements

The following accounting standards have been adopted in the first nine months of 2020:

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2018-13 "Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement" as part of its disclosure framework, and pursuant to which FASB has eliminated, amended and added disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. For Arrow, the standard became effective, on a prospective basis, on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this change in fair value disclosure did not have a material impact on its financial position or the results of operations in the period subsequent to its adoption.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-15 "Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract" which will require companies to defer potentially significant, specified implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that are currently often expensed under US GAAP. For Arrow, the standard was adopted, on a prospective basis, on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its financial position or the results of operations in the period subsequent to its adoption.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities ("ASU 2018-17"). ASU 2018-17 provides that indirect interests held through related parties in common control arrangements should be considered on a proportional basis for determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. For Arrow, the standard was effective on January 1, 2020 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its financial position or the results of operations in the period subsequent to its adoption.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as LIBOR. Companies can apply the ASU immediately. However, the guidance will only be available for a limited time (generally through December 31, 2022), and provides optional relief for contract modifications, hedge accounting and Held-to-maturity debt securities. For Arrow, this standard was effective January 1, 2020 and can be applied prospectively beginning January 1, 2020 for contract modifications and hedging relationships. The one-time election to sell and/or transfer securities classified as Held-to-maturity may be made at any point after March 12, 2020. Arrow is evaluating the impact of this standard as it will provide relief for contracts currently tied to LIBOR and hedge accounting relationships.