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Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Nature of Operations
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. ("BancShares," "we," "us," "our" or "the Bank") is a financial holding company organized under the laws of Delaware and conducts operations through its banking subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company ("FCB"), which is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. BancShares and its subsidiaries operate 551 branches in 19 states predominantly located in the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the United States. BancShares seeks to meet the financial needs of individuals and commercial entities in its market areas through a wide range of retail and commercial banking services. Loan services include various types of commercial, business and consumer lending. Deposit services include checking, savings, money market and time deposit accounts. First Citizens Wealth Management provides holistic, goals-based advisory services encompassing a broad range of client deliverables. These deliverables include wealth planning, discretionary investment advisory services, insurance, brokerage, defined benefit and defined contribution services, private banking, trust, fiduciary, philanthropy and special asset services.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The accounting and reporting policies of BancShares and its subsidiaries are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and general practices within the banking industry.
The consolidated financial statements of BancShares include the accounts of BancShares and its subsidiaries, certain partnership interests and variable interest entities. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. BancShares operates with centralized management and combined reporting; thus, BancShares operates as one consolidated reportable segment.
Variable interest entities (VIEs) are legal entities that either do not have sufficient equity to finance their activities without the support from other parties or whose equity investors lack a controlling financial interest. FCB has investments in certain partnerships and limited liability entities that have been evaluated and determined to be VIEs. Consolidation of a VIE is appropriate if a reporting entity holds a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is the primary beneficiary. FCB is not the primary beneficiary and does not hold a controlling interest in the VIEs as it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance. As such, assets and liabilities of these entities are not consolidated into the financial statements of BancShares. The recorded investment in these entities is reported within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Reclassifications
In certain instances, amounts reported in prior years' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported cash flows, shareholders' equity or net income.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates that BancShares considers significant are the allowance for loan and lease losses, fair value measurements, FDIC shared-loss payable, pension plan assumptions, goodwill and other intangible assets and income taxes.
Business Combinations
BancShares accounts for all business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, acquired assets and assumed liabilities are included with the acquirer's accounts as of the date of acquisition, with any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired recognized as either finite lived intangibles or capitalized as goodwill. In addition, acquisition related costs and restructuring costs are recognized as period expenses as incurred. See Note B for additional information regarding business combinations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold. Cash and cash equivalents have initial maturities of three months or less. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value due to its short-term nature.
Debt Securities
BancShares classifies debt securities as held to maturity or available for sale. Debt securities are classified as held to maturity when BancShares has the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity and are reported at amortized cost. Other debt securities are classified as available for sale and reported at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes, reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI). Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts for debt securities are included in interest income. Realized gains and losses from the sale of debt securities are determined by specific identification on a trade date basis and are included in noninterest income.
BancShares evaluates each held to maturity and available for sale security in a loss position for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) at least quarterly. BancShares considers such factors as the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been below amortized cost, long-term expectations and recent experience regarding principal and interest payments, BancShares' intent to sell, and whether it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell those securities before the anticipated recovery of the amortized cost. The credit component of an OTTI loss is recognized in earnings and the non-credit component is recognized in AOCI in situations where BancShares does not intend to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that BancShares will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery.
Equity Securities
Equity securities are recorded on a trade date basis and measured at fair value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are determined by specific identification and are included in noninterest income. Non-marketable equity securities are securities that do not have readily determinable fair values and are measured at cost. BancShares evaluates its non-marketable equity securities for impairment and recoverability of the recorded investment by considering positive and negative evidence, including the profitability and asset quality of the issuer, dividend payment history and recent redemption experience. Impairment is assessed at each reporting period and if identified, is recognized in noninterest income. Non-marketable equity securities are recorded within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Other Securities
Membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") network requires ownership of FHLB restricted stock. This stock is restricted in that it may only be sold to the FHLB and all sales must be at par. Accordingly, the FHLB restricted stock is carried at cost, less any applicable impairment charges and is recorded within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. FHLB restricted stock was $25.3 million and $52.7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects
BancShares and FCB have investments in qualified affordable housing projects primarily for the purposes of fulfilling Community Reinvestment Act requirements and obtaining tax credits. These investments are accounted for using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the initial cost of the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and the net investment performance is recognized in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. All of the investments held in qualified affordable housing projects qualify for the proportional amortization method and totaled $147.3 million and $128.0 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Loans Held For Sale
BancShares elected to apply the fair value option for new originations of prime residential mortgage loans to be sold. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are recognized within mortgage income. Origination fees collected and costs incurred are deferred and recorded in mortgage income in the period the corresponding loans are sold.
Loans and Leases
BancShares' accounting methods for loans and leases depends on whether they are originated or purchased, and if purchased, whether or not the loans reflect credit deterioration at the date of acquisition.

Non-Purchased Credit Impaired (Non-PCI) Loans
Non-PCI loans consist of loans originated by Bancshares or loans purchased from other institutions that do not reflect credit deterioration at acquisition.
Originated loans for which management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for investment and carried at the principal amount outstanding net of any unearned income, charge-offs and unamortized fees and costs. Nonrefundable fees collected and certain direct costs incurred related to loan originations are deferred and recorded as an adjustment to loans outstanding. The net amount of the nonrefundable fees and costs is amortized to interest income over the contractual lives using methods that approximate a constant yield.
Purchased non-credit impaired loans are acquired loans that do not reflect credit deterioration at acquisition. These loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. The difference between the fair value and the unpaid principal balance at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method.
Purchased Credit Impaired (PCI) Loans
Purchased loans which reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that BancShares will be unable to collect all contractually required payments are classified as PCI loans. PCI loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. If the timing and amount of the future cash flows can be reasonably estimated, any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value are recognized as interest income over the life of the loans using the effective yield method. Subsequent to the acquisition date, increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date are recognized prospectively as interest income. Decreases in expected cash flows due to credit deterioration are recognized by recording an allowance for loan losses. In the event of prepayment, the remaining unamortized amount is recognized in interest income. To the extent possible, PCI loans are aggregated into pools based upon common risk characteristics and each pool is accounted for as a single unit.
The performance of all loans within the BancShares portfolio is subject to a number of external risks, including changes in the overall health of the economy, declines in real estate values, changes in the demand for products and services and personal events, such as death, disability or change in marital status. Bancshares evaluates and reports its non-PCI and PCI loan portfolios separately, and each portfolio is further divided into commercial and non-commercial segments based on the type of borrower, purpose, collateral and/or our underlying credit management processes. Additionally, commercial and non-commercial loans are assigned to loan classes, which further disaggregate the loan portfolio.
Non-PCI Commercial Loans & Leases
Non-PCI commercial loans (excluding purchased non-impaired loans and certain purchased revolving credit) are underwritten based primarily upon the customer's ability to generate the required cash flow to service the debt in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the loan agreement. Additionally, an understanding of the borrower's business, including the experience and background of the principals is obtained prior to approval. To the extent the loan is secured by collateral, the likely value of the collateral and what level of strength the collateral brings to the transaction is also evaluated. If the principals or other parties provide personal guarantees, the relative financial strength and liquidity of each guarantor is also assessed. Acquired non-PCI commercial loans are evaluated using comparable methods and procedures as those originated by BancShares.
Construction and land development - Construction and land development consists of loans to finance land for development of commercial or residential real property and construction of multifamily apartments or other commercial properties. These loans are highly dependent on the supply and demand for commercial real estate as well as the demand for newly constructed residential homes and lots acquired for development. Deterioration in demand could result in decreased collateral values, which could make repayments of outstanding loans difficult for customers.
Commercial mortgage - Commercial mortgage consists of loans to purchase or refinance owner-occupied or investment nonresidential properties. Commercial mortgages secured by owner-occupied properties are primarily dependent on the ability of borrowers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at loan origination. Failure to achieve these projections presents risk that the borrower will be unable to service the debt consistent with the contractual terms of the loan. Commercial mortgages secured by investment properties include office buildings and other facilities that are rented or leased to unrelated parties. The primary risk associated with income producing commercial mortgage loans is the ability of the income-producing property that collateralizes the loan to produce adequate cash flow to service the debt. While these loans and leases are collateralized by real property in an effort to mitigate risk, it is possible that the liquidation of collateral will not fully satisfy the obligation.
Other commercial real estate - Other commercial real estate consists of loans secured by farmland (including residential farms and other improvements) and multifamily (five or more) residential properties. The performance of agricultural loans is highly dependent on favorable weather, reasonable costs for seed and fertilizer and the ability to successfully market the product at a profitable margin. The demand for these products is also dependent on macroeconomic conditions that are beyond the control of the borrower. The primary risk associated with multifamily loans is the ability of the income-producing property that collateralizes the loan to produce adequate cash flow to service the debt. High unemployment or generally weak economic conditions may result in borrowers having to provide rental rate concessions to achieve adequate occupancy rates.
Commercial and industrial and lease financing - Commercial and industrial and lease financing consists of loans or lines of credit to finance accounts receivable, inventory or other general business needs, business credit cards, and lease financing agreements for equipment, vehicles, or other assets. The primary risk associated with commercial and industrial and lease financing loans is the ability of borrowers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at origination. Failure to achieve these projections presents risk that the borrower will be unable to service the debt consistent with the contractual terms of the loan or lease.
Other - Other consists of all other commercial loans not classified in one of the preceding classes. These typically include loans to nonprofit organizations such as churches, hospitals, educational and charitable organizations, and certain loans repurchased with government guarantees.
Non-PCI Noncommercial Loans & Leases
Non-PCI noncommercial loans (excluding purchased non-impaired loans and certain purchased revolving credit) are centrally underwritten using automated credit scoring and analysis tools. These credit scoring tools take into account factors such as payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit currently in use and recent credit inquiries. To the extent that the loan is secured by collateral, the likely value of that collateral is evaluated. Acquired non-PCI noncommercial loans are evaluated using comparable methods and procedures as those originated by BancShares.
Residential mortgage - Residential real estate consists of loans to purchase, or refinance the borrower's primary dwelling, second residence or vacation home and are often secured by 1-4 family residential property. Significant and rapid declines in real estate values can result in borrowers having debt levels in excess of the current market value of the collateral.
Revolving mortgage - Revolving mortgage consists of home equity lines of credit that are secured by first or second liens on the borrower's primary residence. These loans are often secured by second liens on the residential real estate and are particularly susceptible to declining collateral values as a substantial decline in value could render a second lien position effectively unsecured.
Construction and land development - Construction and land development consists of loans to construct a borrower's primary or secondary residence or vacant land upon which the owner intends to construct a dwelling at a future date. These loans are typically secured by undeveloped or partially developed land in anticipation of completing construction of a 1-4 family residential property. There is risk that these construction and development projects can experience delays and cost overruns that exceed the borrower’s financial ability to complete the project. Such cost overruns can result in foreclosure of partially completed and unmarketable collateral.
Consumer - Consumer loans consist of installment loans to finance purchases of vehicles, unsecured home improvements, student loans and revolving lines of credit that can be secured or unsecured, including personal credit cards. The value of the underlying collateral within this class is at risk of potential rapid depreciation which could result in unpaid balances in excess of the collateral.
PCI Loans
The segments and classes utilized to evaluate and report PCI loans is consistent with that of non-PCI loans. PCI loans were underwritten by other institutions, often with different lending standards and methods; however, the underwriting risks are generally consistent with the risks identified for non-PCI loans. Additionally, in some cases, collateral for PCI loans may be located in regions that previously experienced deterioration in real estate values and the underlying collateral may therefore not support full repayment of these loans.
Nonperforming Assets and Troubled Debt Restructurings
Non-performing Assets (NPAs)
NPAs include nonaccrual loans and foreclosed property. Foreclosed property consists of real estate and other assets acquired as a result of loan defaults and is discussed below.
All loans are classified as past due when the payment of principal and interest based upon contractual terms is greater than 30 days delinquent. Non-PCI loans are generally placed on nonaccrual when principal or interest becomes 90 days past due or when it is probable that principal or interest is not fully collectible. When non-PCI loans are placed on nonaccrual, all previously uncollected accrued interest is reversed from interest income and the ongoing accrual of interest is discontinued. All payments received thereafter are applied as a reduction of the remaining principal balance as long as doubt exists as to the ultimate collection of the principal. Non-PCI loans and leases are generally removed from nonaccrual status when they become current for a sustained period of time and there is no longer concern as to the collectability of principal and interest. Accretion of income for PCI loans is discontinued when we are unable to estimate the amount or timing of cash flows. PCI loans may begin or resume accretion of income when information becomes available that allows us to estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows. The majority of PCI loans are pooled for accounting purposes and therefore, the NPA status is determined based upon the aggregate performance of the pool.
Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)
A loan is considered a TDR when both of the following occur: (1) a modification to a borrower's debt agreement is made and (2) a concession is granted for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial difficulties that otherwise would not be granted. TDR concessions could include short term deferrals of interest, modifications of payment terms, or (in certain limited instances) forgiveness of principal or interest. Loans that have been restructured as a TDR are treated and reported as such for the remaining life of the loan. Modifications of pooled PCI loans are not designated as TDRs, whereas modifications of non-pooled PCI loans are designated as TDRs in the same manner as non-PCI loans. TDR loans can be nonaccrual or accrual, depending on the individual facts and circumstances of the borrower. In circumstances where a portion of the loan balance is charged-off, the remaining balance is typically classified as nonaccrual.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL)
The ALLL represents management's best estimate of inherent credit losses within the loan and lease portfolio at the balance sheet date. Management determines the ALLL based on an ongoing evaluation of the loan portfolio. Estimates for loan losses are determined by analyzing quantitative and qualitative components, such as: economic conditions, historical loan losses, historical loan migration to charge-off experience, current trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, expected cash flows on PCI loans, current assessment of impaired loans, and changes in the size, composition and/or risk within the loan portfolio. Adjustments to the ALLL are recorded with a corresponding entry to provision for loan and lease losses. Loan balances considered uncollectible are charged-off against the ALLL. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are generally credited to the ALLL.
A primary component of determining the allowance on non-PCI loans collectively evaluated is the actual loss history of the various loan classes. Loan loss factors are based on historical experience and may be adjusted for significant factors, that in management's judgment, affect the collectability of principal and interest at the balance sheet date. In accordance with our allowance methodology, loan loss factors are monitored quarterly and may be adjusted based on changes in the level of historical net charge-offs and updates by management, such as the number of periods included in the calculation of loss factors, loss severity, loss emergence period and portfolio attrition.
For the non-PCI commercial segment, management incorporates historical net loss data to develop the applicable loan loss factors. General reserves for collective impairment are based on incurred loss estimates for the loan class based on average loss rates by credit quality indicators, which are estimated using historical loss experience and credit risk rating migrations. Credit quality indicators include borrower classification codes and facility risk ratings. Incurred loss estimates may be adjusted through a qualitative assessment to reflect current economic conditions and portfolio trends including credit quality, concentrations, aging of the portfolio and significant policy and underwriting changes.
For the non-PCI noncommercial segment, management incorporates specific loan class and delinquency status trends into the loan loss factors. General reserve estimates of incurred losses are based on historical loss experience and the migration of loans through the various delinquency pools applied to the current risk mix.
Non-PCI loans are considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a borrower will be unable to pay all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Generally, management considers the following loans to be impaired: all TDR loans and all loan relationships which are on nonaccrual or 90+ days past due and greater than $500,000. Non-PCI impaired loans greater than $500,000 are evaluated individually for impairment while others are evaluated collectively.
The impairment assessment and determination of the related specific reserve for each impaired loan is based on the loan's characteristics. Impairment measurement for loans that are dependent on borrower cash flow for repayment is based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the interest rate implicit in the original loan agreement. Impairment measurement for most real estate loans, particularly when a loan is considered to be a probable foreclosure, is based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. Collateral is appraised and market value (appropriately adjusted for an assessment of the sales and marketing costs) is used to calculate a fair value estimate. A specific valuation allowance is established or partial charge-off is recorded for the difference between the excess recorded investment in the loan and the loan’s estimated fair value less costs to sell.
The ALLL for PCI loans is estimated based on the expected cash flows over the life of the loan. BancShares continues to estimate and update cash flows expected to be collected on individual loans or pools of loans sharing common risk characteristics. BancShares compares the carrying value of all PCI loans to the present value at each balance sheet date. If the present value is less than the carrying value, that shortfall is compared to the remaining credit discount and if it is in excess of the remaining credit discount, an ALLL is recorded through the recognition of provision expense. The ALLL for PCI loans with subsequent increases in expected cash flows to be collected is reduced and any remaining excess is recorded as an adjustment to the accretable yield over the loan's or pool's remaining life.
Reserve for Unfunded Commitments
The reserve for unfunded commitments represents the estimated probable losses related to standby letters of credit and other commitments to extend credit. The reserve is calculated in a manner similar to the loans evaluated collectively for impairment, while also considering the applicable regulatory capital credit conversion factors for these off-balance sheet instruments as well as the exposure upon default. The reserve for unfunded commitments is presented within other liabilities, distinct from the ALLL, and adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other noninterest expense and represent an immaterial balance.
Other Real Estate Owned (OREO)
OREO acquired as a result of foreclosure is initially recorded at the asset’s estimated fair value less cost to sell. Any excess in the recorded investment in the loan over the estimated fair value less costs to sell is charged-off against the ALLL at the time of foreclosure.
OREO is subsequently carried at the lower of cost or market value less estimated selling costs and is evaluated at least annually. The periodic evaluations are generally based on the appraised value of the property and may include additional adjustments based upon management's review of the valuation estimate and specific knowledge of the property. Routine maintenance costs, income and expenses related to the operation of the foreclosed asset, subsequent declines in market value and net gains or losses on disposal are included in foreclosure-related expense.
Payable to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for Shared-Loss Agreements
The purchase and assumption agreements for certain FDIC-assisted transactions include payments that may be owed to the FDIC at the termination of the shared-loss agreements. The payment is due to the FDIC if actual cumulative losses on acquired covered assets are lower than the cumulative losses originally estimated by the FDIC at the time of acquisition. The liability is calculated by discounting estimated future payments and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an FDIC shared-loss payable. The ultimate settlement amount of the payment is dependent upon the performance of the underlying covered loans, recoveries, the passage of time and actual claims submitted to the FDIC.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Land is carried at cost. Depreciation expense is generally computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements and capitalized leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated at least annually for impairment during the third quarter, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists.
Other acquired intangible assets with finite lives, such as core deposit intangibles, are initially recorded at fair value and are amortized on an accelerated basis typically between five to ten years over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists.
Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSRs)
The right to provide servicing under various loan servicing contracts is either retained in connection with a loan sale or acquired in a business combination. MSRs are initially recorded at fair value and amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, the future net servicing income of the underlying loan. At each reporting period, MSRs are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to the carrying value.
Fair Values
The fair value of financial instruments and the methods and assumptions used in estimating fair value amounts and financial assets and liabilities for which fair value was elected are detailed in Note M.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability approach as prescribed in ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the currently enacted tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in BancShares' income tax returns. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The potential impact of current events on the estimates used to establish income tax expenses and income tax liabilities is continually monitored and evaluated. Income tax positions based on current tax law, positions taken by various tax auditors within the jurisdictions where income tax returns are filed, as well as potential or pending audits or assessments by such tax auditors are evaluated on a periodic basis.
BancShares has unrecognized tax benefits related to the uncertain portion of tax positions that BancShares has taken or expects to take. A liability may be created or an amount refundable may be reduced for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits. These uncertainties result from the application of complex tax laws, rules, regulations and interpretations, primarily in state taxing jurisdictions. Unrecognized tax benefits are assessed quarterly and may be adjusted through current income tax expense in future periods based on changing facts and circumstances, completion of examinations by taxing authorities or expiration of a statute of limitations. Estimated penalties and interest on uncertain tax positions are recognized in income tax expense.
BancShares files a consolidated federal income tax return and various combined and separate company state tax returns. See Note P in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures.
Per Share Data
Net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of both classes of common shares outstanding during each period. BancShares had no potential common shares outstanding in any period and did not report diluted net income per share.
Cash dividends per share apply to both Class A and Class B common stock. Shares of Class A common stock carry one vote per share, while shares of Class B common stock carry 16 votes per share.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
BancShares maintains noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain qualifying employees. The calculation of the obligations and related expenses under the plans require the use of actuarial valuation methods and assumptions. Actuarial assumptions used in the determination of future values of plan assets and liabilities are subject to management judgment and may differ significantly if different assumptions are used. The discount rate assumption used to measure the plan obligations is based on a yield curve developed from high-quality corporate bonds across a full maturity spectrum. The projected cash flows of the pension plans are discounted based on this yield curve, and a single discount rate is calculated to achieve the same present value. The assumed rate of future compensation increases is reviewed annually based on actual experience and future salary expectations. We also estimate a long-term rate of return on pension plan assets that is used to estimate the future value of plan assets. In developing the long-term rate of return, we consider such factors as the actual return earned on plan assets, historical returns on the various asset classes in the plans and projections of future returns on various asset classes. Refer to Note N for disclosures related to BancShares' defined benefit pension plans.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
This ASU requires a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act, which was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act included a reduction to the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018. The amount of the reclassification is the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21 percent corporate income tax rate.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018. The change in accounting principle was accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet resulting in a $31.3 million increase to retained earnings and a corresponding decrease to AOCI on January 1, 2018.
FASB ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
This ASU requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. Employers will present the other components separately from the line item that includes the service cost. In addition, only the service cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.
FASB ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of certain financial instruments. The amendments in this ASU (i) require most equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (ii) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without a readily determinable fair value; (iii) eliminate the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (iv) require public business entities to use exit price notion, rather than entry prices, when measuring fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (v) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial assets on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; (vi) require separate presentation in other comprehensive income of the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; and (vii) state that a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to available-for-sale securities should be evaluated in combination with other deferred tax assets.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018. The change in accounting principle was accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet resulting in an $18.7 million increase to retained earnings and a decrease to AOCI on January 1, 2018. With the adoption of this ASU, equity securities can no longer be classified as available for sale; as such, marketable equity securities are disclosed as a separate line item on the balance sheet with changes in the fair value of equity securities reflected in net income.
For equity investments without a readily determinable fair value, BancShares has elected to measure the equity investments using the measurement alternative that requires BancShares to make a qualitative assessment of whether the investment is impaired at each reporting period. Under the measurement alternative these investments will be measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. If a qualitative assessment indicates that the investment is impaired, BancShares will estimate the investment's fair value in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 and, if the fair value is less than the investment's carrying value, recognize an impairment loss in net income equal to the difference between carrying value and fair value. Equity investments without a readily determinable fair value are recorded within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
In May 2014, the FASB issued a standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers with the core principle being for a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard, which provides a five step model to determine when and how revenue is recognized, also results in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements.
Per ASU 2015-14, Deferral of the Effective Date, this guidance was deferred and is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We adopted the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018. Our revenue is comprised primarily of net interest income on financial assets and liabilities, which is explicitly excluded from the scope of the new guidance, and noninterest income. The contracts that are in scope of the guidance are primarily related to cardholder and merchant services income, service charges on deposit accounts, wealth management services income, other service charges and fees, insurance commissions, ATM income, sales of other real estate and other. Based on our overall assessment of revenue streams and review of related contracts affected by the ASU, the adoption of this guidance did not change the method in which we currently recognize revenue.
We also completed an evaluation of the costs related to these revenue streams to determine whether such costs should be presented as expenses or contra-revenue (i.e., gross vs. net). Based on this evaluation, we determined that the classification of cardholder and merchant processing costs as well as expenses for cardholder reward programs should be netted against cardholder and merchant services income. We used the full retrospective method of adoption and restated the prior financial statements to net the cardholder and merchant processing costs against the related cardholder and merchant services income. These classification changes resulted in changes to both noninterest income and noninterest expense; however, there was no change to previously reported net income. Merchant processing expenses of $81.3 million and $69.2 million had been reclassified and reported as a component of merchant services income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, cardholder processing expenses of $27.8 million and cardholder reward programs expense of $10.0 million were reclassified and reported as a component of cardholder services income. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, cardholder processing expenses of $20.8 million and cardholder reward programs expense of $10.6 million were reclassified and reported as a component of cardholder services income.
Revenue Recognition
The standard requires disclosure of qualitative and quantitative information surrounding the amount, nature, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Descriptions of our noninterest revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of the new revenue ASU are broadly segregated as follows:
Cardholder and Merchant Services - These represent interchange fees from customer debit and credit card transactions that are earned at the time a cardholder engages in a transaction with a merchant as well as fees charged to merchants for providing them the ability to accept and process the debit and credit card transaction. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation has been satisfied, which is upon completion of the card transaction. Additionally, ASU 2014-09 requires costs associated with cardholder and merchant services transactions to be netted against the fee income from such transactions when an entity is acting as an agent in providing services to a customer.
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts - These deposit account-related fees represent monthly account maintenance and transaction-based service fees such as overdraft fees, stop payment fees and charges for issuing cashier's checks and money orders. For account maintenance services, revenue is recognized at the end of the statement period when our performance obligation has been satisfied. All other revenues from transaction-based services are recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation has been completed.
Wealth Management Services - These primarily represent annuity fees, sales commissions, management fees, insurance sales, and trust and asset management fees. The performance obligation for wealth management services is the provision of services to place annuity products issued by the counterparty to investors, and the provision of services to manage the client’s assets, including brokerage custodial and other management services. Revenue from wealth management services is recognized over the period in which services are performed, and is based on a percentage of the value of the assets under management/administration. This revenue is either fixed or variable based on account type, or transaction-based.
Other Service Charges and Fees - These include, but are not limited to, check cashing fees, international banking fees, internet banking fees, wire transfer fees and safe deposit fees. The performance obligation is fulfilled, and revenue is recognized, at the point in time the requested service is provided to the customer.
Insurance Commissions - These represent commissions earned on the issuance of insurance products and services. The performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of the insurance policy and revenue is recognized when the commission payment is remitted by the insurance carrier or policy holder depending on whether the billing is performed by Bancshares or the carrier.
ATM Income - These represent fees imposed on customers and non-customers for engaging in an ATM transaction. Revenue is recognized at the time of the transaction as the performance obligation of rendering the ATM service has been met.
Sales of Other Real Estate - ORE property consists of foreclosed real estate used as collateral for loans, closed branches, land acquired and no longer intended for future use by FCB, and other real estate purchased for resale as ORE. Revenue is generally recognized on the date of sale where the performance obligation of providing access and transferring control of the specified ORE property to the buyer in good faith and good title is satisfied. This is recorded as a component of other noninterest income.
Other - This consists of several forms of recurring revenue such as external rental income, parking income, FHLB dividends and income earned on changes in the cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance, all of which are outside the scope of ASU 2014-09. The remaining miscellaneous income is the result of immaterial transactions where revenue is recognized when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASU 2018-15 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract
This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include internal-use software license). This ASU requires entities to use the guidance in FASB ASC 350-40, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software, to determine whether to capitalize or expense implementation costs related to the service contract. This ASU also requires entities to (i) expense capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement; (ii) present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs in the same line item on the income statement as fees associated with the hosting element of the arrangement; (iii) classify payments for capitalized implementation costs in the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element; and (iv) present the capitalized implementation costs in the same balance sheet line item that a prepayment for the fees associated with the hosting arrangement would be presented.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. BancShares will adopt the amendments in this ASU during the first quarter of 2020. BancShares is currently evaluating the impact this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and the magnitude of the impact has not yet been determined.
FASB ASU 2018-14 - Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans
This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by eliminating the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year and adding a requirement to disclose an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. BancShares will adopt all applicable amendments and update the disclosures as appropriate during the first quarter of 2021.
FASB ASU 2018-13 - Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement
This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by eliminating the requirements to disclose (i) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; (ii) the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and (iii) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU also added specific disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for public entities including the requirement to disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and all interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of the ASU. Entities are permitted to early adopt amendments that remove or modify disclosures and delay the adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. BancShares will adopt all applicable amendments and update the disclosures as appropriate during the first quarter of 2020.
FASB ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
This ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This ASU eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative test.
This ASU will be effective for BancShares' annual or interim goodwill impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We expect to adopt the guidance for our annual impairment test in fiscal year 2020. BancShares does not anticipate any impact to our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of the adoption.
FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
This ASU eliminates the delayed recognition of the full amount of credit losses until the loss was probable of occurring and instead will reflect an entity's current estimate of all expected credit losses. The amendments in this ASU broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually. The ASU does not specify a method for measuring expected credit losses and allows an entity to apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the credit loss estimate based on the entity's size, complexity and risk profile. In addition, the disclosures of credit quality indicators in relation to the amortized cost of financing receivables, a current disclosure requirement, are further disaggregated by year of origination.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. BancShares will adopt the guidance by the first quarter of 2020 with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. For BancShares, the standard will apply to loans, unfunded loan commitments and debt securities. A cross-functional team co-led by Corporate Finance and Risk Management is in place to implement the new standard. The team continues to work on critical activities such as building models, documenting accounting policies, reviewing data quality, and implementing a reporting and disclosure solution. BancShares continues to evaluate the impact the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements but the magnitude of this impact has not been determined. The final impact will be dependent, among other items, on loan portfolio composition and credit quality at the adoption date, as well as economic conditions, financial models used and forecasts at that time.
FASB ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)
This ASU increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The key difference between existing standards and this ASU is the requirement for lessees to recognize all lease contracts on their balance sheet. This ASU requires lessees to classify leases as either operating or finance leases, which are substantially similar to the current operating and capital leases classifications. The distinction between these two classifications under the new standard does not relate to balance sheet treatment, but relates to treatment in the statements of income and cash flows. Lessor guidance remains largely unchanged with the exception of how a lessor determines the appropriate lease classification for each lease to better align the lessor guidance with revised lessee classification guidance.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt during the first quarter of 2019. We expect an increase to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for right-of-use assets and associated lease liabilities, as well as resulting depreciation expense of the right-of-use assets and interest expense of the lease liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Income, for arrangements previously accounted for as operating leases. Additionally, adding these assets to our balance sheet will impact our total risk-weighted assets used to determine our regulatory capital levels. Our impact analysis estimates an increase to the Consolidated Balance Sheets ranging between $70.0 million and $80.0 million, as the initial gross up of both assets and liabilities. Capital is expected to be adversely impacted by an estimated three to four basis points. These are preliminary estimates subject to change and will continue to be refined closer to adoption.