Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Hancock Holding Company (Hancock or the Company) is a financial services company that provides a comprehensive network of full-service financial choices to the Gulf South region through its bank subsidiary, Whitney Bank (Whitney or the Bank), a Mississippi state bank. Whitney Bank operates under brands: “Hancock Bank” in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and “Whitney Bank” in Louisiana and Texas. Whitney Bank operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee under both the Hancock and Whitney Bank brands. Hancock was organized in 1984 as a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. In 2002, the Company qualified as a financial holding company, giving it broader powers. The corporate headquarters of the Company is in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Bank offers a broad range of traditional and online community banking services to commercial, small business and retail customers, providing a variety of transaction and savings deposit products, treasury management services, investment brokerage services, secured and unsecured loan products, (including revolving credit facilities), and letters of credit and similar financial guarantees. The Bank also provides trust and investment management services to retirement plans, corporations and individuals.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP) and those generally practiced within the banking industry. Following is a summary of the more significant accounting policies.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The accounting principles the Company follows and the methods for applying these principles conform to U.S. GAAP and general practices followed by the banking industry. These accounting principles and practices require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Accounting

U.S. GAAP requires the use of fair values in determining the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities in the financial statements, as well as for specific disclosures about certain assets and liabilities.

Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to these valuation techniques used to measure fair value giving preference to quoted prices in active markets (level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs such as a reporting entity’s own data or information or assumptions developed from this data (level 3). Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, observable inputs other than quoted prices, such as interest rates and yield curves, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Purchased assets, including identifiable intangibles, and assumed liabilities are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. If the fair value of net assets purchased exceeds the consideration given, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received or if the fair value of the net liabilities assumed exceeds the consideration received, goodwill is recognized. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on their purchase date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses.

All identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at the acquisition date fair value. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged separately from the entity).

Cash and Due from Banks

The Company considers only cash on hand, cash items in process of collection and balances due from financial institutions as cash and cash equivalents.

Securities

Securities are classified as trading, held to maturity or available for sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates this classification periodically as conditions change that could require reclassification.

Available for sale securities are stated at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and unrealized holding losses, other than those determined to be other than temporary, are reported net of tax in other comprehensive income and in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) until realized.

Securities that the Company both positively intends and has the ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. The intent and ability to hold are not considered satisfied when a security is available to be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment rates, liquidity needs or other reasons as part of an overall asset/liability management strategy.

Premiums and discounts on securities, both those held to maturity and those available for sale, are amortized and accreted to income as an adjustment to the securities’ yields using the effective interest method. Realized gains and losses on securities, including declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are reported net as a component of noninterest income. The cost of securities sold is specifically identified for use in calculating realized gains and losses.

Loans

Loans held for investment

Loans that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are considered loans held for investment and reported as “Loans” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the related footnote disclosures. Loans held for investment include loans originated for investment and loans acquired in purchase transactions.

Originated loans are reported at the principal balance outstanding net of unearned income. Interest on loans and accretion of unearned income, including net deferred loan fees and costs, are computed in a manner that approximates a level yield on recorded principal. Interest on loans is recognized in income as earned.

The accrual of interest on an originated loan is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, it is probable that the borrower will be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. When accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed and payments subsequently received are applied first to recover principal. Interest income is recognized for payments received after contractual principal has been satisfied. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest contractually due are brought current and future payment performance is reasonably assured.

Loans that are acquired in purchase transactions are recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. Acquired loans are segregated between those considered to be performing (“purchased credit performing”) and those with evidence of credit deterioration (“purchased credit impaired”) based on such factors as past due status, nonaccrual status and credit risk ratings (rated substandard or worse). Purchased credit performing loans are accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 310-20 and purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30. Purchased credit impaired loans for which the timing and amount of future cash flows cannot be reasonably projected are accounted for using the cost recovery method.

With the exception of those accounted for using the cost recovery method, the acquired loans are further segregated into loan pools designed to facilitate the development of expected cash flows to be used in estimating fair value. The pools are based on common risk characteristics such as market area, loan type, credit risk ratings, contractual interest rate, and repayment terms. Loan types can include commercial and industrial loans not secured by real estate, construction and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, residential mortgage loans, and consumer loans, with further segregation within certain loan types as needed. Expected cash flows, both principal and interest, from each pool are estimated based on key assumptions covering such factors as prepayments, default rates, and severity of loss given a default. These assumptions are developed using both historical experience and the portfolio characteristics at acquisition as well as available market research. The fair value estimate for each pool is based on the estimate of expected cash flows from the pool discounted at prevailing market rates.

The difference at the acquisition date between the fair value and the contractual amounts due for each purchased credit performing loan pool (the “fair value discount”) is accreted into income over the estimated life of the pool. Purchased credit performing loans are placed on nonaccrual status and reported as nonperforming or past due using the same criteria applied to the originated portfolio.

The excess of estimated cash flows expected to be collected from each purchased credit impaired loan pool over the pool’s carrying value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income using an effective yield method over the expected life of the pool. Each pool of purchased credit impaired loans is accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flows. Purchased credit impaired loans in pools with an accretable yield and expected cash flows that are reasonably estimable are considered to be accruing and performing even though collection of contractual payments on loans within the pool may be in doubt. Purchased credit impaired loans accounted for in pools are generally not subject to individual evaluation for impairment and are not reported with impaired loans or troubled debt restructurings even if they would otherwise qualify for such treatment.

Loans Held for Sale

Residential mortgage loans originated for sale are classified as loans held for sale and carried at the lower of cost or market. Forward sales commitments on a best-efforts basis are entered into with third parties concurrently with rate lock commitments made to prospective borrowers. At times, management may decide to sell loans that were not originated for that purpose. Those loans are reclassified as held for sale when that decision is made and also carried at the lower of cost or market.

Impaired Loans

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes it is probable all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loans agreement will not be collected. A loan is not considered impaired due to a delay in payment if all amounts due, including interest accrued at the contractual interest rate of the period of delay, is expected to be collected. Impaired loans include loans on nonaccrual, certain purchased credit impaired loans accounted for using the cost recovery method, and troubled debt restructurings (defined below), both performing and nonperforming. Purchased credit impaired loans accounted for in pools with an accretable yield are considered performing and excluded from impaired loans as this accounting methodology takes into consideration expected future credit losses.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) occur when a borrower is experiencing, or is expected to experience, financial difficulties in the near-term and a modification in loan terms is granted that would otherwise not have been considered.

Troubled debt restructurings can result in loans remaining on nonaccrual, moving to nonaccrual, or continuing to accrue, depending on the individual facts and circumstances of the borrower. All loans whose terms have been modified in a TDR, including both commercial and retail loans, are initially considered “impaired.” When measuring impairment on a TDR, the loan’s value is determined by either the present value of expected cash flows calculated using the loan’s effective interest rate before the restructuring, or the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the value as determined is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the difference is charged off through the allowance for loan and lease losses. Modified acquired-impaired loans are not removed from their accounting pool and accounted for as a TDR even if those loans would otherwise be deemed TDRs.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) is a valuation account available to absorb losses on loans. The ALLL is established and maintained at an amount sufficient to cover estimated credit losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolios of the Company as of the date of the determination. Credit losses arise not only from credit risk, but also from other risks inherent in the lending process including, but not limited to, collateral risk, operational risk, concentration risk, and economic risk. As such, all related risks of lending are considered when assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. Quarterly, management estimates inherent losses in the portfolio based on a number of factors, including the Company’s past loan loss and delinquency experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions.

The analysis and methodology for estimating the ALLL include two primary elements: A loss rate analysis, which incorporates a historical loss rate as updated for current conditions, is used for loans collectively evaluated for impairment; and a specific reserve analysis is used for loans individually evaluated for impairment. For the loss rate analysis, the Company segments loans into commercial non-real estate, commercial real estate – owner occupied, commercial real estate – income producing, construction and land development, residential mortgage and consumer, with further segmentation as deemed appropriate. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are applied at the detailed portfolio segments. Commercial loans (commercial non-real estate, commercial real estate – owner occupied, commercial real estate – income producing and construction and land development), are further subdivided by risk rating, while retail loans (residential mortgage and consumer) are further subdivided by delinquency. The Company uses loss emergence periods developed based on historical experience, which is currently 24 months for commercial loans and twelve to eighteen months for retail and residential mortgage loans. Historical loss rates are calculated using a weighted average of the most recent three loss emergence periods. As circumstances dictate, management will make adjustments to the overall loss rate to reflect differences in current conditions as compared to those during the historical loss period. Conditions to be considered include problem loan trends, current business and economic conditions, credit concentrations, lending policies and procedures, lending staff, collateral values, loan profiles and volumes, loan review quality, and changes in competition and regulations.

When a loan is determined to be impaired, the amount of impairment is recognized by creating a specific allowance for any shortfall between the loan’s value and its recorded investment. The loan’s value is measured by either the loan’s observable market price, the fair value of the collateral of the loan (less liquidation costs) if it is collateral dependent, or by the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Loans individually analyzed for impairment are not incorporated into the pool analysis to avoid double counting. The Company limits the specific reserve analysis to include all impaired commercial and residential mortgage loans with relationship balances of $1 million or greater and all loans classified as troubled debt restructurings.

The monitoring of credit risk also extends to unfunded credit commitments, such as unused commercial credit lines and letters of credit, and management establishes reserves as needed for its estimate of probable losses on such commitments.

It is the policy of the Company to promptly charge off all commercial and residential mortgage loans, or portions of loans, when available information reasonably confirms that they are wholly or partially uncollectible. Prior to recognizing a loss, asset value is established based on an assessment of the value of the collateral securing the loan, the borrower’s and the guarantor’s ability and willingness to pay and the status of the account in bankruptcy court, if applicable. Consumer loans are generally charged down when the loan is 90 days past due for unsecured loans or 120 days past due for secured loans, unless the loan is clearly both well secured and in the process of collection. Loans are charged down to the fair value of the collateral, if any, less estimated selling costs. Loans are charged off against the allowance for loan losses with subsequent recoveries added back to the allowance.

Allowance for purchased credit performing loans is evaluated at each reporting date subsequent to acquisition. An allowance is determined for each loan pool using a methodology similar to that described above for originated loans and then compared to the remaining fair value discount for that pool. If the allowance is greater than the discount, the excess is recognized as an addition to the allowance through a provision for loan losses. If the allowance is less than the discount, no additional allowance is recognized.

For purchased credit impaired loans accounted for in pools, estimated cash flows expected to be collected are recast at each reporting date for each loan pool. These evaluations require the continued use and updating of key assumptions and estimates such as default rates, loss severity given default and prepayment speed assumptions, similar to those used for the initial fair value estimate. Management’s judgment must be applied in developing these assumptions. If the present value of expected cash flows for a pool is less than its carrying value, impairment is recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses and a charge to the provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows for a pool is greater than its carrying value, any previously established allowance for loan losses is reversed and any remaining difference increases the accretable yield which will be taken into interest income over the remaining life of the loan pool.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are up to 30 years for buildings and three to ten years for most furniture and equipment. Amortization expense for software is generally charged over three years, or seven years for core systems. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate that such long-lived assets have been impaired. Measurement of any impairment of such long-lived assets is based on their fair values.

Property and equipment used in operations is considered held for sale when certain criteria are met, including when management has committed to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available for sale in its immediate condition, and the sale is probable within one year of the reporting date. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. Gains and losses related to retirement or disposition of property and equipment are recorded in other income under noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income as realized.

Other Real Estate

Other real estate owned includes real property that has been acquired in satisfaction of loans and property no longer used in the Bank’s business. These assets are recorded at the estimated fair value less the estimated cost of disposition and carried at the lower of either cost or market. Fair value is based on independent appraisals and other relevant factors. Any initial reduction in the carrying amount of a loan to the fair value of the collateral received less selling costs is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Other real estate is revalued on an annual basis or more often if market conditions necessitate. Subsequent losses on the periodic revaluation of the property are charged to current earnings, as are revenues from and costs of operating and maintaining the properties and gains or losses recognized on their disposition. Improvements made to properties are capitalized if the expenditures are expected to be recovered upon the sale of the properties.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over the fair value of net assets acquired or the excess of the fair value liabilities assumed over consideration received in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is assessed for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment. The impairment test compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its net book value. The Company has assigned all goodwill to one reporting unit that represents overall banking operations. The fair value of the reporting unit is based on valuation techniques that market participants would use in an acquisition of the whole unit, such as estimated discounted cash flows, the quoted market price of the Company’s stock, adjusted for a control premium, and observable average price-to-earnings and price-to-book multiples of competitors. If the unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an estimate of the implied fair value of the goodwill is compared to the goodwill’s carrying value, and any impairment recognized.

Other identifiable intangible assets with finite lives, such as core deposit intangibles and trade name, are initially recorded at fair value and are generally amortized over the periods benefited. These assets are evaluated for impairment similar to long-lived assets.

Life Insurance Contracts

Bank-owned life insurance contracts (BOLI) are comprised of long-term life insurance contracts on the lives of certain current and past employees where the insurance policy benefits and ownership are retained by the employer. Its cash surrender value is an asset that the Company uses to partially offset the future cost of employee benefits. The cash value accumulation on BOLI is permanently tax deferred if the policy is held to the insured person’s death and certain other conditions are met.

FDIC Loss Share Receivable

Loans purchased in the 2009 acquisition of Peoples First Community Bank (Peoples First) were covered by two loss share agreements between the FDIC and the Company. The loss share receivable was measured separately from the related covered loans as it was not contractually embedded in the loans and was not transferrable should the loans be sold. The fair value of the loss share receivable at acquisition was estimated by discounting expected reimbursements for losses from the loans covered by the loss share agreements, including appropriate consideration of possible true-up payments to the FDIC at the expiration of the agreements.

Prior to termination of the agreements in July 2017, the loss share receivable was reviewed and updated prospectively as loss estimates related to covered loan pools changed. Increases in expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreement led to an increase in the loss share receivable. A decrease in expected reimbursements was reflected first as a reversal of any previously recorded increase in the loss share receivable on the covered loan pool with the remainder reflected as a reduction in the loss share receivable’s accretion rate. Increases and decreases in the loss share receivable related to changes in loss estimates resulted in reductions in or additions to the provision for loan losses, which serves to offset the impact on the provision from impairments or impairment reversals recognized on the underlying covered loan pool. The excess (or shortfall) of expected claims as compared to the carrying value of the loss share receivable was accreted (amortized) into noninterest income over the shorter of the remaining life of the covered loan pool or the life of the loss share agreement. The impact on operations of a reduction in the loss share receivable’s accretion rate was associated with an increase in the accretable yield on the underlying loan pool. The loss share receivable was reduced as cash was received from the FDIC related to losses incurred on covered assets.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value as components of other assets and other liabilities. Effective January 3, 2017, the Company’s central clearing counterparty amended its rulebook to legally characterize variation margin accounts as settlements, rather than being reflected separately as collateral. As a result of the change, the Company began prospectively reflecting derivative assets and liabilities net of the central clearing counterparty derivative margin account. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge.

For derivatives designated as hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or liability (fair value hedge), the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of the fair value change together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. Earnings will be affected to the extent to which the hedge is not effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value. For derivatives designated as hedging exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction (cash flow hedge), the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings or in certain circumstances, when the hedge is terminated. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is reported in earnings immediately. For derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized in earnings immediately.

In applying hedge accounting for derivatives, the Company establishes a method for assessing the effectiveness of the hedging derivative and a measurement approach for determining the ineffective aspect of the hedge upon the inception of the hedge. These methods are consistent with the Company’s approach to managing risk.

Note 10 - Derivatives describes the derivative instruments currently used by the Company and discloses how these derivatives impact the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Stockholders’ Equity

Common stock reflects shares issued at par value. Repurchase of the Company’s common stock (treasury stock) is recorded at cost as a reduction of stockholders’ equity within capital surplus in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. When treasury shares are subsequently reissued, treasury stock is reduced by the cost of such stock using the first-in-first-out method, with the difference recorded in capital surplus or retained earnings, as applicable.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Current tax liabilities or assets are recognized for the estimated income taxes payable or refundable on tax returns to be filed with respect to the current year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets if, based on all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the assets will not be realized. The benefit of a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on its technical merits. The effects of changes in tax rates and laws upon deferred tax balances are recognized in the period in which the legislation is enacted.

The Company makes investments that generate investment tax credits (ITC). The Company uses the deferral method of accounting which results in the investment tax credits being recognized as a reduction of the related asset.

The Company also invests in projects that yield tax credits issued under the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB), Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB), Federal and State New Market Tax Credit (NMTC), and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. Returns on these investments are generated through the receipt of federal and state tax credits. The tax credits are recorded as a reduction to the income tax provision in the year that they are earned. Tax credits from QZAB and QSCB bonds are generally earned over the life of the bonds in lieu of interest income. Credits on Federal NMTC investments are earned over the 7 year compliance period beginning with the year of investment. Credits on State NMTC investments are generally earned over a 3 to 5 year period depending upon the specific state program. Tax credits are earned over a 10 year period for Low-Income Housing investments beginning with the year in which rental activity begins. These tax credits, if not used in the tax return for the year when the credits are first available for use, can be carried forward for 20 years. For those investments where the return of the principal is not expected, the equity investment is amortized over the life of the tax compliance period as a component of noninterest expense.

Retirement Benefits

The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans and certain other defined benefit postretirement plans for eligible employees. The amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements with respect to these plans are based on actuarial valuations that incorporate various assumptions regarding future experience under the plans. Note 16 – Retirement Benefit Plans discusses the actuarial assumptions and provides information about the liabilities or assets recognized for the funded status of the Company’s obligations under these plans, the net benefit expense charged to current operations, and the amounts recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and AOCI.

Share-Based Payment Arrangements

The grant date fair value of equity instruments awarded to employees and directors establishes the cost of the services received in exchange, and the cost associated with awards that are expected to vest is recognized over the requisite service period. Share-based compensation for service-based awards that contain a graded vesting schedule is recognized over on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Forfeitures of unvested awards are recognized in earnings in the period in which they occur. Refer to Note 17 – Share-Based Payment Arrangements for additional information.

Revenue Recognition

The largest source of revenue for the Company is interest revenue. Interest revenue is recognized on an accrual basis driven by written contracts, such as loan agreements or securities contracts. Loan origination fees are recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Other credit-related fees, including letter of credit fees, are recognized in noninterest income when earned. The Company recognizes commission revenue and brokerage, exchange and clearance fees on a trade-date basis. Other types of noninterest revenue such as service charges on deposits and trust revenues are accrued and recognized into income as services are provided and the amount of fees earned can be reasonably determined.

Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method allocates net income to each class of common stock and participating security according to the common dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Participating securities currently consist of unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents.

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Shares outstanding exclude treasury shares and unvested share-based payment awards under long-term incentive compensation plans and directors’ compensation plans. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding increased by the number of shares in which employees would vest under performance-based stock awards and stock unit awards based on expected performance factors and by the number of additional shares that would have been issued if potentially dilutive stock options were exercised, each as determined using the treasury stock method.

Reportable Segment Disclosures

Accounting standards require that information be reported about a company’s operating segments using a “management approach.” Reportable segments are identified in these standards as those revenue-producing components for which discrete financial information is produced internally and which are subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources to segments. The Company has one state bank charter and its stated strategy is focused on providing a consistent package of community banking products and services throughout a coherent market area; as such, the Company has identified its overall banking operations as its only reportable segment. Because the overall banking operations comprise substantially all of the Company’s consolidated operations, no separate segment disclosures are presented.

Other

Assets held by the Bank in a fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Bank and are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017

In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The ASU allows reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income/loss to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate tax rate. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is recognized. The Company early adopted this guidance retrospectively, which resulted in a reclassification of $25.3 million from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net to Retained Earnings reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. Refer to Note 13 – Income Taxes for more information of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its impact to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities,” which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not, however, require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; instead, the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The amendments in this ASU more closely align the amortization period of premiums and discounts to expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities. These amendments are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company early adopted this amendment in the second quarter of 2017 and, in accordance with the standards, the Company began amortizing the premium for certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including income tax consequences; classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments were effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2017. In accordance with the standard, the Company elected to account for forfeitures of stock-based compensation as they occur and began reclassifying dividends paid on forfeited shares to compensation expense from retained earnings. Classification of shares forfeited for taxes are now reflected in the statement of cash flows as a financing rather than operating activity, with all historical periods restated. In addition, the Company began recognizing excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies during the period in income (rather than in equity) on a prospective basis. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; however, the prospective change in treatment of excess tax benefits resulted in a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and could result in volatility of future earnings, depending on changes in the Company’s stock price.

Accounting Standards Issued but Not Yet Adopted at December 31, 2017

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” with the objective of improving financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. The update provides changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted in any interim period after issuance of the update. All transition requirements and elections are to be applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption, and the effect of the adoption should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company expects to early adopt this guidance in 2018, using a modified retrospective transition. Adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact upon the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs,” to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The amendments require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. The amendments also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. These amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Disclosures of the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle are required in the first interim and annual periods of adoption. The amendments should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. Refer to Note 15 – Retirement Benefit Plans – for detail on the components of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs. Application of this guidance applies only to presentation and will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credits Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. The ASU, more commonly referred to as Current Expected Credit Losses, or CECL, requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques currently applied will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The ASU is effective for SEC filers for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. Early application is permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is not planning to early adopt this guidance. The Company has engaged a third party to assist in the development of a project roadmap and has formed a cross-functional working group comprised of individuals from various areas including credit, finance, risk management, and information technology. The Company expects the guidance will result in an increase in the allowance for loan losses given the change from covering losses inherent in the portfolio to covering losses over the remaining expected life of the portfolio and the nonaccretable difference on purchased credit impaired loans moving to an allowance (offset by an increase in the carrying value of the related loans). The guidance will also result in the establishment of an allowance for credit loss on held to maturity debt securities. The amount of the increase in these allowances will be impacted by the portfolio composition and quality at the adoption date as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” that provides new lease accounting guidance. Under the guidance, lessees (with the exception of short-term leases) will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Lessees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. Public business entities are required to apply the amendments for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In the first quarter of 2018, the FASB issued a targeted improvement standard that allows an additional transition method to the new lease standard by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Consequently, an entity’s reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which the entity adopts the new lease requirements would continue to be in accordance with current GAAP (Topic 840), including disclosures. The Company plans to elect this transition method. The Company has selected and will soon begin implementation of a third-party vendor solution. The Company expects a gross-up of its Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of recognizing lease liabilities and right of use assets; the extent of such is under evaluation. The Company does not expect material changes to its consolidated results of operations as a result of the application of this guidance.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” affecting any entity that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The core principle of this standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Most revenue associated with financial instruments, including interest and loan origination fees, is outside the scope of the guidance. Gains and losses on investment securities, derivatives, and sales of financial instruments are also excluded from the scope. Subsequent to issuance of the revenue recognition guidance, the FASB has issued several updates that deferred by one year the effective date for revenue recognition guidance; clarified its guidance for performing the principal-versus-agent analysis; clarified guidance for identifying performance obligations allowing entities to ignore immaterial promised goods and services in the context of a contract with a customer and other clarifying guidance and technical corrections. Entities can elect to adopt the guidance either on a full or modified retrospective basis. Full retrospective adoption will require a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. Modified retrospective adoption will require a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period in which the entity first applies the new guidance. The standard is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has completed its evaluation of contracts for compliance with the standard and will adopt this guidance in 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company did not identify any material changes to the timing of revenue recognition. The Company will present certain underwriting costs (currently offset against Investment and Annuity Fees), as well as certain subadvisor costs (currently offset against Trust Fees) gross as noninterest expense upon adoption. Adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and there will be no cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings, as such an adjustment is deemed insignificant.

Additionally, the following ASUs are applicable to the Company and will be implemented in 2018, or later as the standards become effective, but are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements:

ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting;

ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment;

ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business;

ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory;

ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments; and

ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities