Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The information contained in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 21, 2020, as amended on March 6, 2020, should be referenced when reading these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise mentioned or unless the context requires otherwise, references herein to “South State,” the “Company” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean South State Corporation and its consolidated subsidiary. References to the “Bank” means South State Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, South State Bank, a South Carolina banking corporation. Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) On January 1, 2020, we adopted the requirements of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, sometimes referred to herein as ASU 2016-13. Topic 326 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses; ASU No. 2019-05, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses; and ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. This standard applies to all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off balance sheet credit exposures, including loans, investment securities and unfunded commitments. We applied the standard’s provisions using the modified retrospective method as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. With this transition method, we did not have to restate comparative prior periods presented in the financial statements related to Topic 326, but will present comparative prior periods disclosures using the previous accounting guidance for the allowance for loan losses. This adoption method is considered a change in accounting principle requiring additional disclosure of the nature of and reason for the change, which is solely a result of the adoption of the required standard. ACL – Investment Securities Management uses a systematic methodology to determine its ACL for investment securities held to maturity. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the held-to-maturity portfolio. Management considers the effects of past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts on the collectability of the loan portfolio. The Company’s estimate of its ACL involves a high degree of judgment; therefore, management’s process for determining expected credit losses may result in a range of expected credit losses. Management monitors the held-to-maturity portfolio to determine whether a valuation account would need to be recorded. The Company currently has no investment securities held to maturity. Management excludes the accrued interest receivable balance from the amortized cost basis in measuring expected credit losses on the investment securities and does not record an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable. As of March 31, 2020, the accrued interest receivable for investment securities available for sale recorded in Other Assets was $7.1 million. The Company’s estimate of expected credit losses includes a measure of the expected risk of credit loss even if that risk is remote. However, the Company does not measure expected credit losses on an investment security in which historical credit loss information adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecast results in an expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero. Management does not expect nonpayment of the amortized cost basis to be zero solely on the basis of the current value of collateral securing the security but, instead, also considers the nature of the collateral, potential future changes in collateral values, default rates, delinquency rates, third-party guarantees, credit ratings, interest rate changes since purchase, volatility of the security’s fair value and historical loss information for financial assets secured with similar collateral. The Company performed an analysis that determined that the following securities have a zero expected credit loss: U.S. Treasury Securities, Agency-Backed Securities including Ginnie Mae Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Federal Farm Credit Banks (“FFCB”) and Small Business Administration (“SBA”). All of the U.S. Treasury and Agency-Backed Securities have the full faith and credit backing of the United State Government or one of its agencies. These securities are included in Government-Sponsored Entities Debt and Mortgage-Backed Securities line items in the Investment Securities footnote. Municipal securities and all other securities that do not have a zero expected credit loss will be evaluated quarterly to determine whether there is a credit loss associated with a decline in fair value. Management no longer evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment, otherwise referred to herein as OTTI, as ASC Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses—Available-for-Sale Debt Securities, changes the accounting for recognizing impairment on available-for-sale debt securities. Each quarter management evaluates impairment where there has been a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis of a security to determine whether there is a credit loss associated with the decline in fair value. Management considers the nature of the collateral, potential future changes in collateral values, default rates, delinquency rates, third-party guarantees, credit ratings, interest rate changes since purchase, volatility of the security’s fair value and historical loss information for financial assets secured with similar collateral among other factors. Credit losses are calculated individually, rather than collectively, using a discounted cash flow method, whereby management compares the present value of expected cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the security. The credit loss component would be recognized through the provision for credit losses in the Statement of Operations. ACL - Loans The ACL reflects management’s estimate of losses that will result from the inability of our borrowers to make required loan payments. We established the incremental increase in the ACL at the adoption through equity and subsequent adjustments through a provision for credit losses charged to earnings. We record loans charged off against the ACL and subsequent recoveries, if any, increase the ACL when they are recognized. Management uses a systematic methodology to determine its ACL for loans held for investment and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loan portfolio. Management considers the effects of past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts on the collectability of the loan portfolio. The Company’s estimate of its ACL involves a high degree of judgment; therefore, management’s process for determining expected credit losses may result in a range of expected credit losses. The Company’s ACL recorded in the balance sheet reflects management’s best estimate within the range of expected credit losses. The Company recognizes in net income the amount needed to adjust the ACL for management’s current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company’s ACL is calculated using collectively evaluated and individually evaluated loans. The Company collectively evaluates loans that share similar risk characteristics. In general, Management has segmented loans by loan purpose. The Company collectively evaluates loans within the following 10 consumer and commercial segments: Consumer 1-4 Family Mortgage, Home Equity Line of Credit (“HELOC”), Consumer Non-Mobile Homes, Mobile Homes, Ready Reserve, Overdrafts, Land and Builder Finance Group Construction, Commercial Real Estate Owner-Occupied and Commercial Non-Real Estate, Commercial Income-Producing, and Business Express (“BEX”) and Microbusiness. The Consumer 1-4 Family Mortgage segment is further segmented by vintage year of origination or renewal. Although BEX and Microbusiness loans would typically be segmented within other commercial segments, Management has determined that BEX and Microbusiness loans share unique commercial risk characteristics such that there is a streamlined underwriting process more similar in nature to a consumer underwriting process. Commercial loans that have a total credit exposure greater than $100,000 but less than $1.5 million are eligible for the expedited BEX process; Commercial loans of $100,000 or less, which are typically for equipment, fleet or other small business needs, are eligible for the expedited Microbusiness process. For collectively evaluated loans, the Company in general uses four modeling approaches to estimate expected credit losses. The Company applies a vintage modeling methodology for the Consumer 1-4 Family Mortgage segment. The Company applies a statistical linear regression modeling methodology for the HELOC, Consumer Non-Mobile Homes, Land and Builder Finance Group Construction, Commercial Real Estate Owner-Occupied and Commercial Non-Real Estate, Commercial Income-Producing, and Ready Reserve segments. The Company applies a loss rate modeling methodology that includes one macroeconomic driver for the Mobile Homes and BEX and Microbusiness segments. Further, the Company applies an average loss rate modeling methodology for the Overdrafts segment. A prepayment assumption is inherently embedded in the vintage modeling methodology. For all other modeling approaches, the Company projects the contractual run-off of its portfolio at the segment level and incorporates a prepayment assumption in order to estimate exposure at default. Management has determined that the Company’s historical loss experience provides the best basis for its assessment of expected credit losses to determine the ACL. The Company utilized its own internal data to measure historical credit loss experience with similar risk characteristics within the segments over an economic cycle. Management reviewed the historical loss information to appropriately adjust for differences in current asset specific risk characteristics. Management also considered further adjustments to historical loss information for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. For the majority of segment models for collectively evaluated loans, the Company incorporated at least one macroeconomic driver either using a statistical regression modeling methodology or simple loss rate modeling methodology. Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. The Company subscribes to a third-party service which provides a quarterly macroeconomic baseline outlook and alternative scenarios for the United States economy. The baseline, along with the evaluation of alternative scenarios, is used by Management to determine the best estimate within the range of expected credit losses. The baseline forecast incorporates a 50% probability of the United States economy performing better than this projection and the same as the probability that it will perform worse. The baseline forecast was used for the two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period. Management determined that the forecast period was consistent with how the Company has historically forecasted for its profitability planning. Management has evaluated the appropriateness of the reasonable and supportable forecast for the current period along with the inputs used in the estimation of expected credit losses. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to historical loss information within four quarters using a straight-line approach. Management may apply different reversion techniques depending on the economic environment for the financial asset portfolio and as of the current period has utilized a linear reversion technique. Management has evaluated the appropriateness of a reversion period for the current period and noted that it was reasonable. Management has excluded the purchased failed financial institution’s transaction loss history in its reversion to the historical average loss rate. Included in its systematic methodology to determine its ACL for loans held for investment and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures, Management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. These qualitative adjustments either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation (i.e. formulaic model results). Each period the Company considers qualitative factors that are relevant within the qualitative framework that includes the following: 1) Concentration Risk, 2) Trends in Industry Conditions, 3) Trends in Portfolio Nature, Quality, and Composition, 4) Model Limitations, and 5) Other Qualitative Adjustments. For Concentration Risk, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for large loan concentrations, industry concentrations, geographic concentrations, and new market territories with limited or no loss history available. For Trends in Industry Conditions, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model result for drivers selected by our Credit Administration department that were not incorporated in the final statistical model or loss rate model. For Trends in Portfolio Nature, Quality, and Composition, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for underwriting exception trends, classified asset trends, delinquency trends, lending policies and procedures, and appraisal policies. For Model Limitations, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for predictive power, data limitations, and forecast risk. For Other Qualitative Adjustments, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for staff turnover rate/experience, staff coverage rate, changes in the training, legal or regulatory changes, natural disasters/weather events, political climate, and other “one-off” items. When a loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with its segment, the asset is assessed to determine whether it should be included in another pool or should be individually evaluated. The Company maintains a net book balance threshold of $250,000 for individually-evaluated loans unless further analysis in the future suggests a change is needed to this threshold based on the credit environment at that time. Generally, individually-evaluated loans other than Troubled Debt Restructurings, otherwise referred to herein as “TDRs,” are on nonaccrual status. Based on the threshold above, consumer financial assets will generally remain in pools unless they meet the dollar threshold or foreclosure is probable. The expected credit losses on individually-evaluated loans will be estimated based on discounted cash flow analysis unless the loan meets the criteria for use of the fair value of collateral, either by virtue of an expected foreclosure or through meeting the definition of collateral-dependent. Financial assets that have been individually evaluated can be returned to a pool for purposes of estimating the expected credit loss insofar as their credit profile improves and that the repayment terms were not considered to be unique to the asset. Management measures expected credit losses over the contractual term of the loans. When determining the contractual term, the Company considers expected prepayments but is precluded from considering expected extensions, renewals, or modifications, unless the Company reasonably expects it will execute a TDR with a borrower. In the event of a reasonably-expected TDR, the Company factors the reasonably-expected TDR into the current expected credit losses estimate. The effects of a TDR are recorded when an individual asset is specifically identified as a reasonably-expected TDR. For consumer loans, the point at which a TDR is reasonably expected is when the Company approves the borrower’s application for a modification (i.e. the borrower qualifies for the TDR) or when the Credit Administration department approves loan concessions on substandard loans. For commercial loans, the point at which a TDR is reasonably expected is when the Company approves the loan for modification or when the Credit Administration department approves loan concessions on substandard loans. The Company uses a discounted cash flow methodology to calculate the effect of the concession provided to the borrower in TDR within the ACL. Purchased credit-deteriorated, otherwise referred to herein as PCD, assets are defined as acquired individual financial assets (or acquired groups of financial assets with similar risk characteristics) that, as of the date of acquisition, have experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination, as determined by the Company’s assessment. The Company records acquired PCD loans by adding the expected credit losses (i.e. allowance for credit losses) to the purchase price of the financial assets rather than recording through the provision for credit losses in the income statement. The expected credit loss, as of the acquisition day, of a PCD loan is added to the allowance for credit losses. The non-credit discount or premium is the difference between the unpaid principal balance and the amortized cost basis as of the acquisition date. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the change in the ACL on PCD loans is recognized through the provision for credit losses. The non-credit discount or premium is accreted or amortized, respectively, into interest income over the remaining life of the PCD loan on a level-yield basis. In accordance with the transition requirements within the standard, the Company’s acquired credit-impaired loans (i.e. ACI or Purchased Credit Impaired) were treated as PCD loans. The Company follows its nonaccrual policy by reversing contractual interest income in the income statement when the Company places a loan on nonaccrual status. Therefore, Management excludes the accrued interest receivable balance from the amortized cost basis in measuring expected credit losses on the portfolio and does not record an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable. As of March 31, 2020, the accrued interest receivable for loans recorded in Other Assets was $30.2 million. The Company has a variety of assets that have a component that qualifies as an off-balance sheet exposure. These primarily include undrawn portions of revolving lines of credit and standby letters of credit. The expected losses associated with these exposures within the unfunded portion of the expected credit loss will be recorded as a liability on the balance sheet with an offsetting income statement expense. Management has determined that a majority of the Company’s off-balance-sheet credit exposures are not unconditionally cancellable. As of March 31, 2020, the liability recorded for expected credit losses on unfunded commitments in Other Liabilities was $8.6 million. The current adjustment to the ACL for unfunded commitments would be recognized through the provision for credit losses in the Statement of Operations. Leases (Topic 842) and Method of Adoption On January 1, 2019, we adopted the requirements of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements; and ASU No. 2019-01, Codification Improvements to Topic 842 Leases. The purpose of the update was to increase transparency and comparability between organizations that enter into lease agreements. The key difference between the previous guidance and the update is the recognition of a right-of-use asset, otherwise referred to herein as a ROU, and lease liability on the statement of financial position for those leases previously classified as operating leases under the old guidance. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842 defines a lease as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment (an identified asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration. In applying this standard, we reviewed our material contracts to determine if they included a lease by this new definition and did not identify any new leases. Our lease agreements in which ASC Topic 842 has been applied are primarily for real estate properties, including retail branch locations, operations and administration locations and stand-alone ATM locations. These leases have lease terms from greater than 12 months to leases with options of more than 24 years. Related to lease payment terms, some are fixed payments or based on a fixed annual increases while others are variable and the annual increases are based on market rates. We performed an analysis on equipment leases for the implementation of ASC Topic 842 and determined the number and dollar amount of our equipment leases was not material. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. We chose the transition method of adoption provided by ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements, where we initially apply the new lease standard at the effective date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption if applicable. Therefore, we applied this standard to all existing leases as of the adoption date of January 1, 2019, recording a ROU asset and a lease liability in an equal amount. We did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. With this transition method, we did not have to restate comparative prior periods presented in the financial statements related to ASC Topic 842, but will present comparative prior periods disclosures using the previous accounting guidance for leases. This adoption method is considered a change in accounting principle requiring additional disclosure of the nature of and reason for the change, which is solely a result of the adoption of the required standard. ASC Topic 842 provides a package of practical expedients in applying the lease standard that had to be chosen at the date of adoption. We chose to elect this package of practical expedients. With this election, we do not have to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain a lease, do not have to reassess the classification of any expired or existing leases, do not have to separate lease and non-lease components and can account for both as a single lease component, and do not have to reassess initial direct costs or cash incentives for any existing leases due to immateriality. In addition, we chose not to apply ASC Topic 842 to short-term leases (leases with terms of 12 months or less) and not to record an underlying ROU asset or lease liability based on the uncertainty around the renewal of these leases. We will recognize lease expense for such leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We determined that we do not have any leases classified as finance leases and that all of our leases are operating leases. ROU assets and liabilities for operating leases are recognized at commencement date based on present value of lease payments not yet paid, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at the lease commencement date over the lease term. For operating leases, lease expense is determined by the sum of the lease payments to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Based on the transition method that we chose to follow, the commencement date of the lease term for all existing leases is January 1, 2019. The lease term used for the calculation of the initial ROU asset and lease liability will include the initial lease term in addition to any renewal options or termination costs in the lease that we think are reasonably certain to be exercised or incurred. We received input from several levels of management and our corporate real estate department in determining which options were reasonably certain to be exercised. A discount rate is also needed in the calculation of the initial ROU assets and lease liability. ASC Topic 842 requires that the implicit rate within the lease agreement be used if available. If not available, we should use its incremental borrowing rate in effect at the time of the lease commencement date. We looked at the incremental borrowing rate from several of our borrowing sources to determine an average rate to be used in the calculation of the initial ROU asset and lease liability. We also considered the term of the borrowings as they relate to the terms of the leases. The adoption of the new standard had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet, with the recording of ROU asset and lease liability of $82.2 million at the commencement date of January 1, 2019. We did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at commencement. As of March 31, 2020 and 2019, we had ROU assets of $86.4 million and $82.8 million, respectively, recorded within premises and equipment on the balance sheet and a lease liability of $88.2 million and $83.0 million, respectively, recorded within other liabilities on the balance sheet. The adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our consolidated income statement. Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Method of Adoption On January 1, 2018, we adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”). The majority of our revenue is derived primarily from interest income from receivables (loans) and securities. Other revenues are derived from fees received in connection with deposit accounts, mortgage banking activities including gains from the sale of loans and loan origination fees, and trust and investment advisory services. The core principle of the standard is that a company 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. We adopted Topic 606 using the retrospective transition approach which requires restatement of prior periods. We selected this method even though there were no material changes in the timing of revenue recognition due to the fact that Topic 606 requires us to report network costs associated with debit card and ATM transactions netted against the related fees from such transactions. Previously, such network costs were reported as a component of other noninterest expense. We did restate prior periods through March 31, 2018 for this reclassification. This adoption method is considered a change in accounting principle requiring additional disclosure of the nature of and reason for the change, which is solely a result of the adoption of the required standard. When applying the retrospective approach under Topic 606, we elected, as a practical expedient, to apply the revenue standard only to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. A completed contract is considered to be a contract for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue was recognized in accordance with revenue guidance that was in effect before January 1, 2018. There were no uncompleted contracts as of January 1, 2018 for which application of the new standard required an adjustment to retained earnings. The following disclosures related to Topic 606 involve income derived from contracts with customers. Within the scope of Topic 606, we maintain contracts to provide services, primarily for investment advisory and/or custody of assets. Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Bank and South State Advisory, Inc., we contract with our customers to perform IRA, Trust, and/or Custody and Agency advisory services. Total revenue recognized from these contracts with customers was $7.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The Bank contracts with our customers to perform deposit account services. Total revenue recognized from these contracts with customers is $18.4 million and $18.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Due to the nature of our relationship with the customers that we provide services, we do not incur costs to obtain contracts and there are no material incremental costs to fulfill these contracts that should be capitalized. Disaggregation of Revenue - Our portfolio of services provided to our customers which generates revenue for which the revenue recognition standard applies consists of approximately 735,000 active contracts at March 31, 2020. We have disaggregated revenue according to timing of the transfer of service. Total revenue derived from contracts in which services are transferred at a point in time was $24.9 million and $24.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Total revenue derived from contracts in which services are transferred over time was $4.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customers. Economic factors impacting the customers could affect the nature, amount, and timing of these cash flows, as unfavorable economic conditions could impair the customers’ ability to provide payment for services. This risk is mitigated as we generally deduct payments from customers’ accounts as services are rendered. Contract Balances - The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable on our balance sheet. Most contracts call for payment by a charge or deduction to the respective customer account but there are some that require a receipt of payment from the customer. For fee per transaction contracts, the customers are billed as the transactions are processed. For hourly rate and monthly service contracts related to trust and some investment revenues, the customers are billed monthly (generally as a percentage basis point of the market value of the investment account). In some cases, specific to South State Advisory, Inc., customers are billed in advance for quarterly services to be performed based on the past quarter’s average account balance. These do create contract liabilities or deferred revenue, as the customers pay in advance for service. Neither the contract liabilities nor the accounts receivables balances are material to our balance sheet. Performance Obligations - A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account in Topic 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The performance obligations for these contracts are satisfied as the service is provided to the customer (either over time or at a point in time). The payment terms of the contracts are typically based on a basis point percentage of the investment account market value, fee per hour of service, or fee for service incurred. There are no significant financing components in the contracts. Excluding deposit services revenues which are mostly billed at a point in time as a fee for services incurred, all other contracts within the scope of Topic 606 contain variable consideration in that fees earned are derived from market values of accounts or from hours worked for services performed which determines the amount of consideration to which we are entitled. The variability is resolved when the hours are incurred or services are provided. The contracts do not include obligations for returns, refunds, or warranties. The contracts are specific to the amounts owed to the Company for services performed during a period should the contracts be terminated. Significant Judgments - All of the contracts create performance obligations that are satisfied at a point in time excluding the contracts billed in advance through South State Advisory, Inc. and some immaterial deposit revenues. Revenue is recognized as services are billed to the customers. Variable consideration does exist for contracts related to our trust and investment services as revenues are based on market values and services performed. We have adopted the right-to-invoice practical expedient for trust management contracts through the Bank which we contract with our customers to perform IRA, trust, and/or custody services.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The information contained in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 21, 2020, as amended on March 6, 2020, should be referenced when reading these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise mentioned or unless the context requires otherwise, references herein to “South State,” the “Company” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean South State Corporation and its consolidated subsidiary. References to the “Bank” means South State Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, South State Bank, a South Carolina banking corporation.

Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)

On January 1, 2020, we adopted the requirements of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, sometimes referred to herein as ASU 2016-13. Topic 326 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses; ASU No. 2019-05, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses; and ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. This standard applies to all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off balance sheet credit exposures, including loans, investment securities and unfunded commitments. We applied the standard’s provisions using the modified retrospective method as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. With this transition method, we did not have to restate comparative prior periods presented in the financial statements related to Topic 326, but will present comparative prior periods disclosures using the previous accounting guidance for the allowance for loan losses. This adoption method is considered a change in accounting principle requiring additional disclosure of the nature of and reason for the change, which is solely a result of the adoption of the required standard.

ACL – Investment Securities

Management uses a systematic methodology to determine its ACL for investment securities held to maturity. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the held-to-maturity portfolio. Management considers the effects of past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts on the collectability of the loan portfolio. The Company’s estimate of its ACL involves a high degree of judgment; therefore, management’s process for determining expected credit losses may result in a range of expected credit losses. Management monitors the held-to-maturity portfolio to determine whether a valuation account would need to be recorded. The Company currently has no investment securities held to maturity.

Management excludes the accrued interest receivable balance from the amortized cost basis in measuring expected credit losses on the investment securities and does not record an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable. As of March 31, 2020, the accrued interest receivable for investment securities available for sale recorded in Other Assets was $7.1 million.

The Company’s estimate of expected credit losses includes a measure of the expected risk of credit loss even if that risk is remote. However, the Company does not measure expected credit losses on an investment security in which historical credit loss information adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecast results in an expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero. Management does not expect nonpayment of the amortized cost basis to be zero solely on the basis of the current value of collateral securing the security but, instead, also considers the nature of the collateral, potential future changes in collateral values, default rates, delinquency rates, third-party guarantees, credit ratings, interest rate changes since purchase, volatility of the security’s fair value and historical loss information for financial assets secured with similar collateral. The Company performed an analysis that determined that the following securities have a zero expected credit loss: U.S. Treasury Securities, Agency-Backed Securities including Ginnie Mae Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Federal Farm Credit Banks (“FFCB”) and Small Business Administration (“SBA”). All of the U.S. Treasury and Agency-Backed Securities have the full faith and credit backing of the United State Government or one of its agencies. These securities are included in Government-Sponsored Entities Debt and Mortgage-Backed Securities line items in the Investment Securities footnote. Municipal securities and all other securities that do not have a zero expected credit loss will be evaluated quarterly to determine whether there is a credit loss associated with a decline in fair value.

Management no longer evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment, otherwise referred to herein as OTTI, as ASC Subtopic 326-30, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses—Available-for-Sale Debt Securities, changes the accounting for recognizing impairment on available-for-sale debt securities. Each quarter management evaluates impairment where there has been a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis of a security to determine whether there is a credit loss associated with the decline in fair value. Management considers the nature of the collateral, potential future changes in collateral values, default rates, delinquency rates, third-party guarantees, credit ratings, interest rate changes since purchase, volatility of the security’s fair value and historical loss information for financial assets secured with similar collateral among other factors. Credit losses are calculated individually, rather than collectively, using a discounted cash flow method, whereby management compares the present value of expected cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the security. The credit loss component would be recognized through the provision for credit losses in the Statement of Operations.

ACL - Loans

The ACL reflects management’s estimate of losses that will result from the inability of our borrowers to make required loan payments. We established the incremental increase in the ACL at the adoption through equity and subsequent adjustments through a provision for credit losses charged to earnings. We record loans charged off against the ACL and subsequent recoveries, if any, increase the ACL when they are recognized.

Management uses a systematic methodology to determine its ACL for loans held for investment and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loan portfolio. Management considers the effects of past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts on the collectability of the loan portfolio. The Company’s estimate of its ACL involves a high degree of judgment; therefore, management’s process for determining expected credit losses may result in a range of expected credit losses. The Company’s ACL recorded in the balance sheet reflects management’s best estimate within the range of expected credit losses. The Company recognizes in net income the amount needed to adjust the ACL for management’s current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company’s ACL is calculated using collectively evaluated and individually evaluated loans.

The Company collectively evaluates loans that share similar risk characteristics. In general, Management has segmented loans by loan purpose. The Company collectively evaluates loans within the following 10 consumer and commercial segments: Consumer 1-4 Family Mortgage, Home Equity Line of Credit (“HELOC”), Consumer Non-Mobile Homes, Mobile Homes, Ready Reserve, Overdrafts, Land and Builder Finance Group Construction, Commercial Real Estate Owner-Occupied and Commercial Non-Real Estate, Commercial Income-Producing, and Business Express (“BEX”) and Microbusiness. The Consumer 1-4 Family Mortgage segment is further segmented by vintage year of

origination or renewal. Although BEX and Microbusiness loans would typically be segmented within other commercial segments, Management has determined that BEX and Microbusiness loans share unique commercial risk characteristics such that there is a streamlined underwriting process more similar in nature to a consumer underwriting process. Commercial loans that have a total credit exposure greater than $100,000 but less than $1.5 million are eligible for the expedited BEX process; Commercial loans of $100,000 or less, which are typically for equipment, fleet or other small business needs, are eligible for the expedited Microbusiness process.

For collectively evaluated loans, the Company in general uses four modeling approaches to estimate expected credit losses. The Company applies a vintage modeling methodology for the Consumer 1-4 Family Mortgage segment. The Company applies a statistical linear regression modeling methodology for the HELOC, Consumer Non-Mobile Homes, Land and Builder Finance Group Construction, Commercial Real Estate Owner-Occupied and Commercial Non-Real Estate, Commercial Income-Producing, and Ready Reserve segments. The Company applies a loss rate modeling methodology that includes one macroeconomic driver for the Mobile Homes and BEX and Microbusiness segments. Further, the Company applies an average loss rate modeling methodology for the Overdrafts segment. A prepayment assumption is inherently embedded in the vintage modeling methodology. For all other modeling approaches, the Company projects the contractual run-off of its portfolio at the segment level and incorporates a prepayment assumption in order to estimate exposure at default.

Management has determined that the Company’s historical loss experience provides the best basis for its assessment of expected credit losses to determine the ACL. The Company utilized its own internal data to measure historical credit loss experience with similar risk characteristics within the segments over an economic cycle. Management reviewed the historical loss information to appropriately adjust for differences in current asset specific risk characteristics. Management also considered further adjustments to historical loss information for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. For the majority of segment models for collectively evaluated loans, the Company incorporated at least one macroeconomic driver either using a statistical regression modeling methodology or simple loss rate modeling methodology.

Management considers forward-looking information in estimating expected credit losses. The Company subscribes to a third-party service which provides a quarterly macroeconomic baseline outlook and alternative scenarios for the United States economy. The baseline, along with the evaluation of alternative scenarios, is used by Management to determine the best estimate within the range of expected credit losses. The baseline forecast incorporates a 50% probability of the United States economy performing better than this projection and the same as the probability that it will perform worse. The baseline forecast was used for the two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period. Management determined that the forecast period was consistent with how the Company has historically forecasted for its profitability planning. Management has evaluated the appropriateness of the reasonable and supportable forecast for the current period along with the inputs used in the estimation of expected credit losses. For the contractual term that extends beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to historical loss information within four quarters using a straight-line approach. Management may apply different reversion techniques depending on the economic environment for the financial asset portfolio and as of the current period has utilized a linear reversion technique. Management has evaluated the appropriateness of a reversion period for the current period and noted that it was reasonable. Management has excluded the purchased failed financial institution’s transaction loss history in its reversion to the historical average loss rate.

Included in its systematic methodology to determine its ACL for loans held for investment and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures, Management considers the need to qualitatively adjust expected credit losses for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. These qualitative adjustments either increase or decrease the quantitative model estimation (i.e. formulaic model results). Each period the Company considers qualitative factors that are relevant within the qualitative framework that includes the following: 1) Concentration Risk, 2) Trends in Industry Conditions, 3) Trends in Portfolio Nature, Quality, and Composition, 4) Model Limitations, and 5) Other Qualitative Adjustments. For Concentration Risk, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for large loan concentrations, industry concentrations, geographic concentrations, and new market territories with limited or no loss history available. For Trends in Industry Conditions, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model result for drivers selected by our Credit Administration department that were not incorporated in the final statistical model or loss rate model. For Trends in Portfolio Nature, Quality, and

Composition, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for underwriting exception trends, classified asset trends, delinquency trends, lending policies and procedures, and appraisal policies. For Model Limitations, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for predictive power, data limitations, and forecast risk. For Other Qualitative Adjustments, the Company incorporates qualitative adjustments to the formulaic model results for staff turnover rate/experience, staff coverage rate, changes in the training, legal or regulatory changes, natural disasters/weather events, political climate, and other “one-off” items.

When a loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with its segment, the asset is assessed to determine whether it should be included in another pool or should be individually evaluated. The Company maintains a net book balance threshold of $250,000 for individually-evaluated loans unless further analysis in the future suggests a change is needed to this threshold based on the credit environment at that time. Generally, individually-evaluated loans other than Troubled Debt Restructurings, otherwise referred to herein as “TDRs,” are on nonaccrual status. Based on the threshold above, consumer financial assets will generally remain in pools unless they meet the dollar threshold or foreclosure is probable. The expected credit losses on individually-evaluated loans will be estimated based on discounted cash flow analysis unless the loan meets the criteria for use of the fair value of collateral, either by virtue of an expected foreclosure or through meeting the definition of collateral-dependent. Financial assets that have been individually evaluated can be returned to a pool for purposes of estimating the expected credit loss insofar as their credit profile improves and that the repayment terms were not considered to be unique to the asset.

Management measures expected credit losses over the contractual term of the loans. When determining the contractual term, the Company considers expected prepayments but is precluded from considering expected extensions, renewals, or modifications, unless the Company reasonably expects it will execute a TDR with a borrower. In the event of a reasonably-expected TDR, the Company factors the reasonably-expected TDR into the current expected credit losses estimate. The effects of a TDR are recorded when an individual asset is specifically identified as a reasonably-expected TDR. For consumer loans, the point at which a TDR is reasonably expected is when the Company approves the borrower’s application for a modification (i.e. the borrower qualifies for the TDR) or when the Credit Administration department approves loan concessions on substandard loans. For commercial loans, the point at which a TDR is reasonably expected is when the Company approves the loan for modification or when the Credit Administration department approves loan concessions on substandard loans. The Company uses a discounted cash flow methodology to calculate the effect of the concession provided to the borrower in TDR within the ACL.

Purchased credit-deteriorated, otherwise referred to herein as PCD, assets are defined as acquired individual financial assets (or acquired groups of financial assets with similar risk characteristics) that, as of the date of acquisition, have experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination, as determined by the Company’s assessment. The Company records acquired PCD loans by adding the expected credit losses (i.e. allowance for credit losses) to the purchase price of the financial assets rather than recording through the provision for credit losses in the income statement. The expected credit loss, as of the acquisition day, of a PCD loan is added to the allowance for credit losses. The non-credit discount or premium is the difference between the unpaid principal balance and the amortized cost basis as of the acquisition date. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the change in the ACL on PCD loans is recognized through the provision for credit losses. The non-credit discount or premium is accreted or amortized, respectively, into interest income over the remaining life of the PCD loan on a level-yield basis. In accordance with the transition requirements within the standard, the Company’s acquired credit-impaired loans (i.e. ACI or Purchased Credit Impaired) were treated as PCD loans.

The Company follows its nonaccrual policy by reversing contractual interest income in the income statement when the Company places a loan on nonaccrual status. Therefore, Management excludes the accrued interest receivable balance from the amortized cost basis in measuring expected credit losses on the portfolio and does not record an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivable. As of March 31, 2020, the accrued interest receivable for loans recorded in Other Assets was $30.2 million.

The Company has a variety of assets that have a component that qualifies as an off-balance sheet exposure. These primarily include undrawn portions of revolving lines of credit and standby letters of credit. The expected losses associated with these exposures within the unfunded portion of the expected credit loss will be recorded as a liability on the balance sheet with an offsetting income statement expense. Management has determined that a majority of the Company’s off-balance-sheet credit exposures are not unconditionally cancellable. As of March 31, 2020, the liability recorded for expected credit losses on unfunded commitments in Other Liabilities was $8.6 million. The current

adjustment to the ACL for unfunded commitments would be recognized through the provision for credit losses in the Statement of Operations.

Leases (Topic 842) and Method of Adoption

On January 1, 2019, we adopted the requirements of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements; and ASU No. 2019-01, Codification Improvements to Topic 842 Leases. The purpose of the update was to increase transparency and comparability between organizations that enter into lease agreements. The key difference between the previous guidance and the update is the recognition of a right-of-use asset, otherwise referred to herein as a ROU, and lease liability on the statement of financial position for those leases previously classified as operating leases under the old guidance. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842 defines a lease as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment (an identified asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration. In applying this standard, we reviewed our material contracts to determine if they included a lease by this new definition and did not identify any new leases. Our lease agreements in which ASC Topic 842 has been applied are primarily for real estate properties, including retail branch locations, operations and administration locations and stand-alone ATM locations. These leases have lease terms from greater than 12 months to leases with options of more than 24 years. Related to lease payment terms, some are fixed payments or based on a fixed annual increases while others are variable and the annual increases are based on market rates. We performed an analysis on equipment leases for the implementation of ASC Topic 842 and determined the number and dollar amount of our equipment leases was not material.

A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. We chose the transition method of adoption provided by ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements, where we initially apply the new lease standard at the effective date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption if applicable. Therefore, we applied this standard to all existing leases as of the adoption date of January 1, 2019, recording a ROU asset and a lease liability in an equal amount. We did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. With this transition method, we did not have to restate comparative prior periods presented in the financial statements related to ASC Topic 842, but will present comparative prior periods disclosures using the previous accounting guidance for leases. This adoption method is considered a change in accounting principle requiring additional disclosure of the nature of and reason for the change, which is solely a result of the adoption of the required standard.

ASC Topic 842 provides a package of practical expedients in applying the lease standard that had to be chosen at the date of adoption. We chose to elect this package of practical expedients. With this election, we do not have to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain a lease, do not have to reassess the classification of any expired or existing leases, do not have to separate lease and non-lease components and can account for both as a single lease component, and do not have to reassess initial direct costs or cash incentives for any existing leases due to immateriality. In addition, we chose not to apply ASC Topic 842 to short-term leases (leases with terms of 12 months or less) and not to record an underlying ROU asset or lease liability based on the uncertainty around the renewal of these leases. We will recognize lease expense for such leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We determined that we do not have any leases classified as finance leases and that all of our leases are operating leases. ROU assets and liabilities for operating leases are recognized at commencement date based on present value of lease payments not yet paid, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at the lease commencement date over the lease term. For operating leases, lease expense is determined by the sum of the lease payments to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Based on the transition method that we chose to follow, the commencement date of the lease term for all existing leases is January 1, 2019. The lease term used for the calculation of the initial ROU asset and lease liability will include the initial lease term in addition to any renewal options or termination costs in the lease that we think are reasonably certain to be exercised or incurred. We received input from several levels of management and our corporate real estate department in determining which options were reasonably certain to be exercised. A discount rate is also needed in the calculation of the initial ROU assets and lease liability. ASC Topic 842 requires that the implicit rate within the lease agreement be used if available. If not available, we should use its incremental borrowing rate in effect at the time of the lease commencement

date. We looked at the incremental borrowing rate from several of our borrowing sources to determine an average rate to be used in the calculation of the initial ROU asset and lease liability. We also considered the term of the borrowings as they relate to the terms of the leases.

The adoption of the new standard had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet, with the recording of ROU asset and lease liability of $82.2 million at the commencement date of January 1, 2019. We did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at commencement. As of March 31, 2020 and 2019, we had ROU assets of $86.4 million and $82.8 million, respectively, recorded within premises and equipment on the balance sheet and a lease liability of $88.2 million and $83.0 million, respectively, recorded within other liabilities on the balance sheet. The adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our consolidated income statement.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Method of Adoption

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”). The majority of our revenue is derived primarily from interest income from receivables (loans) and securities. Other revenues are derived from fees received in connection with deposit accounts, mortgage banking activities including gains from the sale of loans and loan origination fees, and trust and investment advisory services. The core principle of the standard is that a company 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.

We adopted Topic 606 using the retrospective transition approach which requires restatement of prior periods. We selected this method even though there were no material changes in the timing of revenue recognition due to the fact that Topic 606 requires us to report network costs associated with debit card and ATM transactions netted against the related fees from such transactions. Previously, such network costs were reported as a component of other noninterest expense. We did restate prior periods through March 31, 2018 for this reclassification. This adoption method is considered a change in accounting principle requiring additional disclosure of the nature of and reason for the change, which is solely a result of the adoption of the required standard. When applying the retrospective approach under Topic 606, we elected, as a practical expedient, to apply the revenue standard only to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. A completed contract is considered to be a contract for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue was recognized in accordance with revenue guidance that was in effect before January 1, 2018. There were no uncompleted contracts as of January 1, 2018 for which application of the new standard required an adjustment to retained earnings.

The following disclosures related to Topic 606 involve income derived from contracts with customers. Within the scope of Topic 606, we maintain contracts to provide services, primarily for investment advisory and/or custody of assets. Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Bank and South State Advisory, Inc., we contract with our customers to perform IRA, Trust, and/or Custody and Agency advisory services. Total revenue recognized from these contracts with customers was $7.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The Bank contracts with our customers to perform deposit account services. Total revenue recognized from these contracts with customers is $18.4 million and $18.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Due to the nature of our relationship with the customers that we provide services, we do not incur costs to obtain contracts and there are no material incremental costs to fulfill these contracts that should be capitalized.

Disaggregation of Revenue - Our portfolio of services provided to our customers which generates revenue for which the revenue recognition standard applies consists of approximately 735,000 active contracts at March 31, 2020. We have disaggregated revenue according to timing of the transfer of service. Total revenue derived from contracts in which services are transferred at a point in time was $24.9 million and $24.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Total revenue derived from contracts in which services are transferred over time was $4.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customers. Economic factors impacting the customers could affect the nature, amount, and timing of these cash flows, as unfavorable economic conditions could impair the customers’ ability to provide payment for services. This risk is mitigated as we generally deduct payments from customers’ accounts as services are rendered.

Contract Balances - The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable on our balance sheet. Most contracts call for payment by a charge or deduction to the respective customer account but there are some that require a receipt of payment from the customer. For fee per transaction contracts, the customers are billed as the transactions are processed. For hourly rate and monthly service contracts related to trust and some investment revenues, the customers are billed monthly (generally as a percentage basis point of the market value of the investment account). In some cases, specific to South State Advisory, Inc., customers are billed in advance for quarterly services to be performed based on the past quarter’s average account balance. These do create contract liabilities or deferred revenue, as the customers pay in advance for service. Neither the contract liabilities nor the accounts receivables balances are material to our balance sheet.

Performance Obligations - A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account in Topic 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The performance obligations for these contracts are satisfied as the service is provided to the customer (either over time or at a point in time). The payment terms of the contracts are typically based on a basis point percentage of the investment account market value, fee per hour of service, or fee for service incurred. There are no significant financing components in the contracts. Excluding deposit services revenues which are mostly billed at a point in time as a fee for services incurred, all other contracts within the scope of Topic 606 contain variable consideration in that fees earned are derived from market values of accounts or from hours worked for services performed which determines the amount of consideration to which we are entitled. The variability is resolved when the hours are incurred or services are provided. The contracts do not include obligations for returns, refunds, or warranties. The contracts are specific to the amounts owed to the Company for services performed during a period should the contracts be terminated.

Significant Judgments - All of the contracts create performance obligations that are satisfied at a point in time excluding the contracts billed in advance through South State Advisory, Inc. and some immaterial deposit revenues. Revenue is recognized as services are billed to the customers. Variable consideration does exist for contracts related to our trust and investment services as revenues are based on market values and services performed. We have adopted the right-to-invoice practical expedient for trust management contracts through the Bank which we contract with our customers to perform IRA, trust, and/or custody services.