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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

 

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Hancock Whitney Corporation (the “Company”) is a financial services company that provides a comprehensive network of full-service financial choices to customers primarily in the Gulf South region through its bank subsidiary, Hancock Whitney Bank (the “Bank”), a Mississippi state bank.  The Bank offers a broad range of traditional and online banking services to commercial, small business and retail customers, providing a variety of transaction and savings deposit products, treasury management 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. The Company also offers investment brokerage services through its broker-dealer subsidiary, Hancock Whitney Investment Services, Inc., a nonbank subsidiary of the holding company. The Company primarily operates across the Gulf South region, including southern Mississippi; southern and central Alabama; southern, central and northwest Louisiana; the northern, central, and panhandle regions of Florida; and the certain areas of east and northeast Texas including Houston, Beaumont and Dallas, among others. In addition, the Company operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee and trust and investment management offices in Texas, New York and New Jersey.

 

The Company was organized in 1984 as a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended and qualified as a financial holding company in 2002. The corporate headquarters of the Company is in Gulfport, Mississippi.

 

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 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 interest rate lock commitments made to prospective borrowers. Held for sale loans also includes residential construction loans that are anticipated to be sold upon completion of the construction term. 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.

 

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 (“nonaccrual status”) 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.  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.

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 loans modified in troubled debt restructurings (defined below), both accruing and nonaccrual statuses.  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 reported as “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 Credit Losses

The Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) is comprised of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL), a valuation account available to absorb losses on loans and the Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments, a liability established to absorb credit losses on off-balance sheet exposures. The ACL is established and maintained at an amount sufficient to cover estimated credit losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolios and off balance sheet exposures 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 and unfunded exposures 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 ACL include two primary elements: A loss rate analysis, which incorporates a historical loss rate as updated for current conditions, is used for credits collectively evaluated for impairment; and a specific reserve analysis is used for credits 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 loss emergence periods in the historical look back period. 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. Similar to funded loans, the methodology for estimating losses for the reserve for unfunded lending commitments includes a collective review as well as individual evaluations of impaired borrowers. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is reflected in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

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 120 days past due for most secured and unsecured loans and 150 days past due for consumer credit card 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 that is material individually or in the aggregate. 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.

Operating Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the amended provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, “Leases,” using the modified retrospective approach, impacting the reporting and disclosures for operating leases. Under the revised standard, the Company recognizes a liability representing the present value of future lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset over the lease term in the statement of financial position.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the contract and assesses the appropriate classification as finance or operating. Operating leases with terms greater than one year are included in right-of-use lease assets and lease obligations on the Company’s balance sheets. The lease term includes payments to be made in optional or renewal periods only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease.  Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term using the interest rate implicit in the contract, when available, or the Company’s incremental collateralized borrowing rate with similar terms. Agreements with both lease and non-lease components are accounted for separately, with only the lease component capitalized. The right-of-use asset is the amount of the lease liability adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments, remaining balance of any lease incentives received, unamortized initial direct costs, and impairment. Lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term through amortization of the right-of-use asset plus implicit interest accreted on the operating lease liability obligation, and is reflected in Net Occupancy Expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate right-of-use assets have been impaired. Measurement of any impairment of such assets is based on their fair values. Once a right-of-use asset for an operating lease is impaired, the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is reduced through expense and the remaining balance is subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis.

Some of the Company’s leases contain variable components, such as annual changes to rent based on the consumer price index. Operating lease liabilities are not re-measured as a result of changes to variable components unless the lease must be re-measured for some other reason such as a renewal that was not reasonably certain of being exercised. Changes to the variable components are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred.

The Company elected to use the standard’s “package of practical expedients,” which allows the use of previous conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and the accounting treatment for initial direct costs. The Company also elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases with lease terms of one year or less; as such, the Company will not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet for such leases.

For periods prior to January 1, 2019, lease accounting was in accordance with the previously effective guidance of Financial Accounting Standard Codification Topic 840, “Leases,” where operating lease cost were expensed as incurred and non-cancellable future minimum operating lease payments were presented for disclosure only.  

Other Real Estate and Foreclosed Assets

Other real estate and foreclosed assets includes real property and other assets that have been acquired in satisfaction of loans, and real 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. Each asset is revalued on an annual basis, or more often if market conditions necessitate. Subsequent losses

on the periodic revaluation of these assets and gains or losses recognized on disposition are charged to current earnings, as are revenues from and costs of operating and maintaining real property; with the resulting net (income) expense reflected in noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Improvements made to real property are capitalized if the expenditures are expected to be recovered upon the sale of the property.

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, and may include analysis 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, customer lists and trade name, are initially recorded at fair value and are generally amortized over the periods benefited. These assets are evaluated for impairment in a similar manner 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.

 

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. 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. Derivatives designated as hedging exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction (cash flow hedge), are 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, with the full impact of hedge gains and losses recognized in the period in which the hedged transaction impacts the entity’s earnings. For derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized in earnings immediately. Note 11 - 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.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Interest Income

Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis driven by written contracts, such as loan agreements or securities contracts. Loan origination fees and costs are recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to yield.

 

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts include transaction based fees for non-sufficient funds, account analysis fees, and other service charges on deposits, including monthly account service fees. Non-sufficient funds fees are recognized at the time when the account overdraft occurs in accordance with regulatory guidelines.  Account analysis fees consist of fees charged on certain business deposit accounts based upon account activity as well as other monthly account fees, and are recorded under the accrual method of accounting as services are performed.  

 

Other service charges are earned by providing depositors safeguard and remittance of funds as well as by providing other elective services for depositors that are performed upon the depositor’s request. Charges for deposit services for the safeguard and remittance of funds are recognized at the end of the statement cycle, after services are provided, as the customer retains funds in the account. Revenue for other elective services is earned at the point in time the customer uses the service.

 

Trust Fees

Trust fee income represents revenue generated from asset management services provided to individuals, businesses, and institutions. The Company has a fiduciary responsibility to the beneficiary of the trust to perform agreed upon services which can include investing assets, periodic reporting, and providing tax information regarding the trust. In exchange for these trust and custodial services, the Company collects fee income from beneficiaries as contractually determined via fee schedules. The Company’s performance obligation is primarily satisfied over time as the services are performed and provided to the customer.  These fees are recorded under the accrual method of accounting as the services are performed.  The Company generally acts as the principal in these transactions and records revenue and expenses on a gross basis.  

 

Bank Card and Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) Fees

Bank card and ATM fees include credit card, debit card and ATM transaction revenue. The majority of this revenue is card interchange fees earned through a third party network. Performance obligations are satisfied for each transaction when the card is used and the funds are remitted. The network establishes interchange fees that the merchant remits for each transaction, and costs are incurred from the network for facilitating the interchange with the merchant.  Card fees also include merchant services fees earned for providing merchants with card processing capabilities.  

 

ATM income is generated from allowing customers to withdraw funds from other banks’ machines and from allowing a non-customer cardholder to withdraw funds from the Company’s machines. The Company satisfies its performance obligations for each transaction at the point in time that the withdrawal is processed.

 

Bank card and ATM fee income is recorded on accrual basis as services are provided with the related expense reflected in data processing expense.  

 

Investment and Annuity Fees and Insurance Commissions

Investment and annuity services fee income represents income earned from investment and advisory services. The Company provides its customers with access to investment products through the use of third party carriers to meet their financial needs and investment objectives. Upon selection of an investment product, the customer enters into a policy with the carrier. The performance obligation is satisfied by fulfilling its responsibility to acquire the investment for which a commission fee is earned from the carrier based on agreed-upon fee percentages on a trade date basis. The Company has a contractual relationship with a third party broker dealer to provide full service brokerage and investment advisory activities. As the agent in the arrangement, the Company recognizes the investment services commissions on a net basis.  Investment revenue also includes portfolio management fees, which represent monthly fees charged on a contractual basis to customers for the management of their investment portfolios and are recorded under the accrual method of accounting on a gross basis, with expenses recorded in the appropriate expense line item.  

 

This revenue line item includes investment banking income, which includes fees for services arising from securities offerings or placements in which the Company acts as a principal. Revenue is recognized at the time the underwriting is completed and the revenue is reasonably determinable.  Any costs associated with these transactions are reflected in the appropriate expense line item.

 

Insurance commission revenue is recognized on a gross basis as of the effective date of the insurance policy as the Company’s performance obligation is connecting the customer to the insurance products.  The Company also receives contingent commissions from insurance companies as additional incentive for achieving specified premium volume goals and/or the loss experience of the insurance placed. Contingent commissions from insurance companies are recognized when determinable, which is generally when such commissions are received or when we receive data from the insurance companies that allows the reasonable estimation of these amounts. Any costs associated with these transactions are reflected in the appropriate expense line item.

 

Secondary Mortgage Market Operations

Secondary mortgage market operations revenue is primarily comprised of service release premiums earned on the sale of closed-end mortgage loans to other financial institutions or government agencies that are recognized in revenue as each sales transaction occurs.

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Sales of Assets

Net gain (loss) on sales of assets reflects the excess (deficiency) of proceeds received over the carrying amount of assets sold plus cost to sell for various assets other than foreclosed real estate. Gain or loss on the sale of assets are recognized as each transaction occurs.

 

Securities Transactions

Securities transactions includes net realized gain (losses) on securities sold reflecting the excess (deficiency) of proceeds received over the specifically identified carrying amount of the assets being sold plus cost to sell.  Securities sales are recorded as each transaction occurs on a trade-date basis.  Securities transactions also include declines in fair value for both available for sale and held to maturity securities when those declines are deemed to be other than temporary.  

 

Income from Bank-Owned Life Insurance

Bank-owned life insurance income primarily represents income earned from the appreciation of the cash surrender value of insurance contracts held and the proceeds of insurance benefits. Revenue from the proceeds of insurance benefits is recognized at the time a claim is confirmed.

 

Credit Related Fees

Credit-related fee income includes letters of credit fees and unused commercial commitment fees. Revenue for letters of credit fees is recognized over time. Revenue for unused commercial commitment fees are recognized based on contractual terms, generally when collected.

 

Income from Derivatives

Income from derivatives consists primarily of income from interest rate swaps, net of fair value adjustments for customer derivatives and the related offsetting agreements with unrelated financial institutions for which the derivative instruments are not designated as hedges.

 

Other Miscellaneous Income

Other miscellaneous income represents a variety of revenue streams, including safe deposit box income, wire transfer fees, syndication fees and any other income not reflected above.  Income is recorded once the performance obligation is satisfied, generally on the accrual basis or on a cash basis if not material and/or considered constrained.

 

Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and recorded as a component of noninterest expense.

 

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 whereby the tax benefit from the investment tax credits is recognized as a reduction of the book basis of the related asset and is amortized into income over the tax life of the underlying investment.

 

The Company also made investments in projects that yield tax credits issued under the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) and Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB) prior to December 31, 2017, as well as Federal and state New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) 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 seven- year compliance period beginning with the year of investment. Credits on State NMTC investments are generally earned over a three to five-year period depending upon the specific state program. For 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.

 

The Company also invests in affordable housing projects that generate low-income tax credits (LIHTC) that are earned over a 10-year period, beginning with the year the rental activity begins. The proportional amortization method is used for investments in affordable housing projects that qualify for LIHTC when the Company, as the investor, does not have significant influence over such projects. For such projects, the investment is proportionally amortized over the same period as the expected tax benefits from the underlying projects as a component of the income tax provision. If needed, write-downs of LIHTC investments are also presented as a component of the income tax provision, on a net basis with the amortization. Should the Company have significant influence over projects, the cost or equity method of accounting is used and investment amortization is a component of noninterest expense. The significant influence criteria that enables use of the proportional amortization method is reevaluated if events occur that change the Company’s influence on the project. The Company currently only has LIHTC investments accounted for under the proportional method of accounting.

With the exception of QZAB and QSCB tax credits, all of the tax credits described above can be carried back one-year and carried forward 20 years if the credit cannot be fully used in the year the credits first become available for use. QZAB and QSCB tax credits generally can be carried forward indefinitely if they cannot be fully used in the year the credits are generated.

 

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 17 – 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 loss 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 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 18 – Share-Based Payment Arrangements for additional information.

 

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’s stated strategy is to provide a consistent package of 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 2019

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. With the exception of short-term leases, lessees are required to recognize a lease liability representing the lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset representing the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term upon adoption. Lessor accounting was largely unchanged under the new guidance, except for clarification of the definition of initial direct costs which provided additional guidance on the timing of recognition of those costs. Subsequent to the issuance of this update, the FASB issued three additional ASUs that provide codification improvements and certain transition elections, including ASU 2018-11, which permits an additional transition method whereby an entity may elect to record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company was required to and did adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective transition method permitted by ASU 2018-11. Thus, the Company’s reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements and disclosures continues to be in accordance with GAAP Topic 840. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a gross-up of assets and liabilities in its Consolidated Balance Sheet, with $116.3 million for right of use assets and $131.1 million of lease payment obligations offset by the elimination of $14.8 million of existing lease incentive and other deferred rent liabilities. Accounting for leases in accordance with Topic 842 has not had a material impact upon the Company’s consolidated results of operations, and is not expected to in future periods. Refer to the “Operating Lease” section of this note for information regarding accounting policy and operating lease practical expedient elections at adoption, and Note 6 – Operating Leases for further information related to the Company’s lease contracts and assets at December 31, 2019.

 

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments.” The Update provides clarification and correction to certain areas of previously issued ASUs concerning financial instruments (2016-01, 2016-13 and 2017-12). Effective dates for

adoption of this Update’s provisions vary in accordance with the effective dates and adoption status of the amended ASUs. Clarifying guidance includes an amendment to update transition provisions related to a one-time election to reclassify debt securities from held to maturity to available for sale where the debt securities are eligible to be hedged under the last-of-layer method in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The clarification included the following related to the transfer election and reclassified securities:  (1) the transfer does not call into question an entity’s assertion to hold to maturity those debt securities that continue to be classified as held-to-maturity (2) the securities are not required to be designated in a last-of-layer hedging relationship (3) the securities may be sold by an entity after reclassification. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company exercised the one-time election to transfer securities with an amortized cost of approximately $1.2 billion from its held to maturity portfolio to its available for sale portfolio. Refer to Note 3 – Securities for further information about the Company’s investment securities.

 

Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740).”  The amendments in this Update are meant to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to GAAP. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP by modifying and/or revising the accounting for certain income tax transactions and by clarifying certain existing codification. The amendments in the update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adoption of this guidance, but does not expect the update to have a material impact upon its financial position and results of operations.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” The amendments in this Update modify certain disclosure requirements by removing disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifying specific requirements of disclosures, and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 for public business entities, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will modify its pension and postretirement plan disclosures upon adoption of this guidance. Adoption of this guidance will have no impact upon the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” The amendments in this Update modify certain disclosure requirements on fair value measurements set forth in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. In addition, the amendments in this Update eliminate the phrase “an entity shall disclose at a minimum” to promote the appropriate exercise of discretion by entities when considering fair value measurement disclosures to clarify that materiality is an appropriate consideration of entities and their auditors when evaluating disclosure requirements. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 31, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will modify its fair value measurements disclosures upon adoption of this guidance. Adoption of this guidance will have no impact upon the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” 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 are required to use forward-looking information to 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 public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings for non-purchased credit impaired loans as of the beginning of the year of adoption. For purchased credit impaired loans, there is no impact to retained earnings upon adoption; rather, the entity will reclassify a portion of the purchase accounting fair value mark to allowance for credit losses as of the beginning of the year of adoption.

 

The Company expects adoption of this guidance, pending final approval through our governance process, to result in a $76.7 million increase in allowance for credit losses on January 1, 2020, comprised of increases in the ALLL of $49.4 million and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments of $27.3 million, with $19.8 million of the ALLL increase reclassified from the fair value mark for acquired impaired loans considered purchased credit deteriorated under the new guidance, and resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings (net of tax) of $44.1 million. Calculated credit losses on held to maturity debt securities were not material and there was no impact to the Company’s available for sale portfolio or other financial instruments.

 

The Company’s CECL allowance for credit losses estimates loan and unfunded exposures over a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period utilizing the weighted average of a range of macroeconomic scenarios, and then reverts to longer historical loss

experience to estimate losses for the remaining life. The Company utilizes internally developed credit models and third party economic forecasts for the calculation of the reasonable supportable forecast for the majority of the portfolio and other methods, generally historical loss based, for select portfolios. The credit models consist primarily of multivariate regression and autoregressive models that correlate historical net charge-off rates to select macroeconomic variables at a collective-level, using similar portfolio and regional aggregation as the incurred methodology. Forward-looking macroeconomic forecasts are applied as inputs to the regression equations to estimate quarterly pooled net charge-off rates over the reasonable and supportable period. The net charge-off rates from the credit models or, for the post reasonable supportable period, the portfolios’ long-term average loss rates are applied to the balance run-off forecasts. The balance run-off forecast incorporates prepayment assumptions developed using historical experience using the same macroeconomic forecasts as the credit models. Forecasted net charge-off rates are also applied to forecasted draws and subsequent run-off of unfunded commitments that are also based on historical experience. Qualitative adjustments to the output of quantitative results are made using the same factors for consideration as under the current incurred methodology. The Company also continues to establish specific reserves on individually evaluated nonaccrual and loans modified in troubled debt restructures as these loans are deemed to not share risk characteristics with other financial assets, largely unchanged from the incurred process.