2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, cash in non-owned ATMs, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell.

Debt Securities

Investments in debt securities are classified into one of the following three categories and accounted for as follows:


•	Debt securities purchased with the intent of selling them in the near future are classified as “trading securities” and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.


•	Debt securities not classified as either trading securities or as held to maturity securities are classified as “available-for-sale securities” and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported, net of tax, as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.


•	Debt securities purchased with the intent to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” securities and reported at amortized cost.

Debt securities include mortgage-backed securities (MBS), municipal bonds, and U.S. government and agency securities. Premiums and discounts on MBS collateralized by residential 1-4 family loans are recognized in interest income using a level yield method over the period to expected maturity. Premiums and discounts on all other securities are recognized on a straight line basis over the period to expected maturity. The fair value of debt securities is primarily obtained from third-party pricing services. Implicit in the valuation of MBS are estimated prepayments based on historical and current market conditions.

We follow Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 320-10 “Investments - Debt Securities” which provides guidance related to the recognition of and expanded disclosure requirements for other-than-temporary impaired debt securities. When we conclude an investment security is other than temporarily impaired, a loss for the difference between the investment security’s carrying value and its fair value may be recognized as a reduction to noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. If we intend to sell an investment in debt security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell it before recovery, an OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. If we do not intend to sell the investment security and conclude that it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovering the carrying value, which may be maturity, the OTTI charge is separated into “credit” and “other” components. The “credit” component of the OTTI is included as a reduction to noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income and the “other” component of the OTTI is included in other comprehensive income (loss), net of the tax effect. We are required to use our judgment in determining impairment in certain circumstances. The specific identification method is used to determine realized gains and losses on sales of investment and mortgage-backed securities. All sales are made without recourse.

For additional detail regarding debt securities, see Note 5.

Equity Securities

Following our adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, as described in “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”, we account for our investments in equity securities in accordance with ASC 321-10, Investments - Equity Securities. Our equity securities are classified into one of the two categories and accounted for as follows:


•	Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Any dividends received are recorded in interest income.


•	Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value are reported at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus adjustments resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer and their impact on fair value. Any dividends received are recorded in interest income.

Equity investments include our Visa Class B share holdings and certain other equity investments. The fair value of equity investments with readily determinable fair values is primarily obtained from third-party pricing services. For equity investments without readily determinable fair values, when an orderly transaction for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer is identified, we use valuation techniques permitted under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, to evaluate the observed transaction(s) and adjust the fair value of the equity investment.

ASC 321-10 also provides guidance related to accounting for impairment of equity securities without readily determinable fair values. The qualitative assessment to determine whether impairment exists requires the use of our judgment in certain circumstances. If, after completing the qualitative assessment, we conclude an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value is impaired, a loss for the difference between the equity investment’s carrying value and its fair value may be recognized as a reduction to noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

We enter into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase which are treated as financings, with the obligation to repurchase securities sold reflected as a liability in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The securities underlying the agreements are assets. Generally, federal funds are purchased for periods ranging up to 90 days.

For additional detail regarding the Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, see Note 12.

Loans

Loans are stated net of deferred fees and costs. Interest income on loans is recognized using the level yield method. Loan origination fees, commitment fees and direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized over the life of the related loans using a level yield method over the period to maturity.

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured based on either the present value of expected future discounted cash flows, the market price of the loan or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. All loans restructured in a troubled debt restructuring are considered to be impaired. Impaired loans include loans within our commercial and industrial, owner-occupied commercial, commercial mortgage, construction, residential and consumer portfolios. Our policy for recognition of interest income on impaired loans, excluding accruing loans, is the same as for nonaccrual loans discussed below.

In addition to originating loans, we occasionally acquire loans through acquisitions or loan purchase transactions. Certain acquired loans may exhibit deteriorated credit quality that has occurred since origination and we may not expect to collect all contractual payments. We account for these purchased credit-impaired loans in accordance with ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. The loans are initially recorded at fair value on the acquisition date, reflecting the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected. Income recognition on these loans is based on reasonable expectations on timing and amount of cash flows to be collected. Purchased credit impaired loans are evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis with a complete updating of the estimated cash flows on a semi-annual basis. If a loan is determined to be impaired but considered collateral dependent, it will have no accretable yield.

For additional detail regarding impaired loans, see Note 8. For additional detail regarding purchased credit-impaired loans, see Note 7.

Past Due and Nonaccrual Loans

Past due loans are defined as loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments but which remain in accrual status because they are considered well secured and in the process of collection.

Nonaccruing loans are those on which the accrual of interest has ceased. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status immediately if, in the opinion of management, collection is doubtful, or when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more and the loan is not well secured and in the process of collection. Interest accrued but not collected at the date a loan is placed on nonaccrual status is reversed and charged against interest income. In addition, the amortization of net deferred loan fees is suspended when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Subsequent cash receipts are applied either to the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income, depending on management’s assessment of the ultimate collectability of principal and interest. Loans are returned to an accrual status when we assess that the borrower has the ability to make all principal and interest payments in accordance with the terms of the loan (i.e. including a consistent repayment record, generally six consecutive payments, has been demonstrated).

For additional detail regarding past due and nonaccrual loans, see Note 8.

Allowance for Loan Losses

We maintain an allowance for loan losses (allowance) which represents our best estimate of probable losses within our loan portfolio. As losses are realized, they are charged to the allowance. We establish our allowance in accordance with guidance provided in ASC 450, Contingencies (ASC 450), ASC 310, Receivables (ASC 310), and the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 102, Selected Loan Loss Allowance Methodology and Documentation Issues (SAB 102). The allowance includes two primary components: (i) an allowance established on loans collectively evaluated for impairment (general allowance), and (ii) an allowance established on loans individually evaluated for impairment (specific allowance). In addition, we also maintain an allowance for acquired loans.

The general allowance is calculated on a pooled loan basis using both quantitative and qualitative factors in accordance with ASC 450. The specific allowance is calculated on an individual loan basis when collectability of all contractually due principal and interest is no longer believed to be probable in accordance with ASC 310-10. Lastly, the allowance related to acquired loans is calculated when (i) there is deterioration in credit quality subsequent to acquisition for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, and (ii) the inherent losses in the loans exceed the remaining credit discount recorded at the time of acquisition for loans accounted for under ASC 310-20.

Impairment of troubled debt restructurings are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective interest rate at inception or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Troubled debt restructurings consist of concessions granted to borrowers facing financial difficulty.

For additional detail regarding the allowance for loan losses and the provision for loan losses, see Note 8.

Fair Value Option

Mortgage loans held for sale are recorded at fair value on a loan level basis based upon pricing information obtained from secondary markets and brokers and applied to loans with similar interest rates and maturities.

Derivative financial instruments related to mortgage banking activities are recorded at fair value and are not designated as accounting hedges. This includes commitments to originate certain fixed-rate residential mortgage loans for customers, also referred to as interest rate lock commitments. We may also enter into forward sale commitments to sell loans to investors at a fixed price at a future date and trade asset-backed securities to mitigate the effect of interest rate risk.

Other Real Estate Owned

Upon initial receipt, other real estate owned (OREO) is recorded at the estimated fair value less disposal costs. Costs subsequently incurred to improve the assets are included in the carrying value provided that the resultant carrying value does not exceed estimated fair value less disposal costs. We periodically evaluate the OREO for impairment and write-down the value of the asset when declines in fair value below the carrying value are identified. Costs relating to holding or disposing of the assets are charged to expense in the current period. Loan workout and OREO expenses include costs of holding and operating the assets, net gains or losses on sales of the assets and provisions for losses to reduce such assets to the estimated fair values less disposal costs.

For additional detail regarding other real estate owned, see Note 8.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs of major replacements, improvements and additions are capitalized. Depreciation expense is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, for leasehold improvements, over the terms of the related lease or effective useful lives of the respective asset, whichever is less. In general, computer equipment, furniture and equipment and building renovations are depreciated over three, five and ten years, respectively. Premises and equipment acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.

For additional detail regarding premises and equipment, see Note 9.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805) and ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (ASC 350). Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting consist of goodwill and other intangible assets. Accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets requires the Company to make significant judgments, particularly with respect to estimating the fair value of each reporting unit and when required, estimating the fair value of net assets. The estimates utilize historical data, cash flows, and market and industry data specific to each reporting unit as well as projected data. Industry and market data are used to develop material assumptions such as transaction multiples, required rates of return, control premiums, transaction costs and synergies of a transaction, and capitalization.

Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to periodic impairment testing. We review goodwill for impairment annually and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. During 2018, management moved our annual goodwill impairment test date from October 31 to October 1 in an effort to more closely align the impairment testing with our strategic business planning and forecasting process and provide the Company with additional time to complete our annual testing. The change will be applied prospectively and WSFS will conduct only one goodwill impairment test in 2018 as the new testing date is before our previous date. This change does not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge.

Other intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. We review other intangible assets with finite lives for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

For additional information regarding our goodwill and intangible assets, see Note 10.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes includes federal, state and local income taxes currently payable and those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities.

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740). ASC 740 requires the recording of deferred income taxes that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. It prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions are recognized in the financial statements only when it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. ASC 740 also provides guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties.

On December 22, 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform Act), was enacted. See Note 15 - Taxes on Income for further information. As a result, the Company elected to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for approximately $1.7 million in accordance with ASC 220, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income and ASC 740. See Note 23.

For additional detail regarding income taxes, see Note 15.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation. Compensation expense relating to all share-based payments is recognized on a straight-line basis, over the applicable vesting period.

For additional detail regarding stock-based compensation, see Note 16.

Senior Debt

On September 1, 2017, we redeemed $55.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.25% senior notes due 2019 which were issued in 2012 (the 2012 senior notes). The 2012 senior notes were repaid using a portion of the proceeds from our 2016 issuance of senior unsecured fixed-to-floating rate notes (the 2016 senior notes) described below. We recorded noninterest expense of $0.7 million due to the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with this redemption.

On June 13, 2016, the Company issued $100.0 million of the 2016 senior notes. The 2016 senior notes mature on June 15, 2026 and have a fixed coupon rate of 4.50% from issuance until June 15, 2021 and a variable coupon rate of three month LIBOR plus 3.30% from June 15, 2021 until maturity. The 2016 senior notes may be redeemed beginning on June 15, 2021 at 100% of principal plus accrued and unpaid interest. The remaining net proceeds from the issuance of the 2016 senior notes are being used for general corporate purposes.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2018

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. ASU No. 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers using a five-step model in which entities should exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. This amendment deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Gross versus Net), which amends the principal versus agent guidance and clarifies that the analysis must focus on whether the entity has control of the goods or services before they are transferred to the customer. In addition, the FASB issued ASU Nos. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, both of which provide additional clarification on certain provisions in Topic 606. These ASC updates were effective for public business entities with annual and interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or modified retrospective with the cumulative effect transition method. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2018. Consistent with the transition guidance in ASC 606, results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented in accordance with ASC 606, while prior period amounts are reported in accordance with ASC 605. For revenue streams determined to be within the scope of the new standard, we concluded that the adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption. See Note 3 for additional disclosures resulting from our adoption of this standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This amendment requires that equity investments be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. When fair value is not readily determinable, an entity may elect to measure the equity investment at cost, less impairment, plus or minus any change in the investment’s observable price. For financial liabilities that are measured at fair value, the amendment requires an entity to present separately, in other comprehensive income, any change in fair value resulting from a change in instrument specific credit risk. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The standard requires retrospective application for equity investments with readily determinable fair values and prospective application for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis for its equity investments without readily determinable fair values, and the adoption of the standard did not have an effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption. Subsequent to the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, we identified observable transactions related to an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value. These identified, observable transactions required the revaluation of this equity investment. The result of the initial revaluation was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the first quarter of 2018. See Note 18 for further information.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 represents the Emerging Issues Task Force’s final consensus on eight issues related to the classification of cash payments and receipts in the statement of cash flows for a number of common transactions. The consensus also clarifies when identifiable cash flows should be separated versus classified based on their predominant source or use. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis and the adoption did not have an effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 provides a new, two-step framework for determining whether a transaction is accounted for as an acquisition (or disposal) of assets or a business. The first step is evaluating whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the transaction is not considered a business. Also, in order to be considered a business, the transaction would need to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. The guidance is effective for public entities in annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for transactions that have not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or been made available for issuance. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis with no impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU 2017-05 provides clarification of the scope of ASC 610-20. Specifically, the new guidance clarifies that ASC 610-20 applies to nonfinancial assets which do not meet the definition of a business or not-for-profit activity. Further, a financial asset is within the scope of ASC 610-20 if it meets the definition of an in-substance nonfinancial asset which is defined as a financial asset promised to a counterparty in a contract where substantially all of the assets promised are nonfinancial. Finally, each distinct nonfinancial asset and in-substance nonfinancial asset should be derecognized when the counterparty obtains control. The guidance is effective in annual and interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted for all entities, but not before annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, on a modified retrospective basis and the adoption did not have an effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The new guidance requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension cost be disclosed with other compensation costs in the income statement. For all other cost components, an entity must either separately disclose the other cost components in separate line item(s) outside a subtotal of income from operations in the income statement or disclose the line item(s) used to present the other cost components in the income statement. The guidance is effective in annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis with no impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting. The new guidance clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. If the award’s fair value, vesting conditions and classification remain the same immediately before and after the change, modification accounting is not applied. Additionally, the guidance does not require valuation before or after the change if the change does not affect any of the inputs to the model used to value the award. The guidance is effective in annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance will be applied on a prospective basis to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis with no impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by removing the hypothetical purchase price allocation. The new guidance requires an impairment of goodwill be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, up to the amount of goodwill recorded. The guidance is effective in annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests with measurement dates after January 1, 2017, using the prospective method of adoption. The Company elected to early adopt this standard on December 31, 2018, on a prospective basis, with no impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption.

Accounting Guidance Pending Adoption at December 31, 2018

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU revises the accounting related to lessee accounting. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for substantially all leases. The new lease guidance also simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the first interim period within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Adoption using the comparative modified retrospective transition approach is required; however, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases-Targeted Improvements, which provides an optional transition method whereby comparative periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption do not need to be restated under Topic 842. The Company will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2019 using the comparative modified retrospective method and has elected to apply the package of practical expedients to ease transition. The Company completed our comprehensive lease analysis including implementation of a new software, review and update of our accounting policies, processes and related internal controls to reflect changes from the standard. The adoption of ASC 842 will result in the recognition of a ROU asset of $121.0 million and a lease liability of $132.1 million on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have an impact on the Company’s other Consolidated Financial Statements. We will provide additional detail to our leases disclosures on a prospective basis, beginning in the first quarter of 2019.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with an expected credit loss methodology and requires consideration of a broader range of information to determine credit loss estimates. Financial assets measured at amortized cost will be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by using an allowance for credit losses. Purchased credit impaired loans will receive an allowance account at the acquisition date that represents a component of the purchase price allocation. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, with such allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, which clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326. In December 2018, regulators issued a final rule related to regulatory capital (Regulatory Capital Rule: Implementation and Transition of the Current Expected Credit Losses Methodology for Allowances and Related Adjustments to the Regulatory Capital Rule and Conforming Amendments to Other Regulations) which is intended to provide regulatory capital relief for entities transitioning to CECL. The Company does not plan to early adopt this guidance and will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2020. A cross-functional team from Finance, Credit, and IT is leading the implementation efforts to evaluate the impact of this guidance on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, internal systems, accounting policies, processes and related internal controls. Presently, we are in the process of implementing a software solution to assist us with the initial and on-going requirements of the new guidance. We are also continuing to evaluate the acceptable methodologies, accounting policies, and reporting requirements under the guidance as well as implementation and transition rules issued by regulators. We continue to consult with third-party experts and specialists, where necessary, to assist with the implementation efforts. Our implementation efforts to date suggest that adoption may materially increase the allowance for loan losses and decrease capital levels; however, the extent of these impacts will depend on the asset quality of the portfolio, macroeconomic conditions, and significant estimates and judgments made by management at the time of adoption.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The new guidance requires the amortization period for certain non-contingent callable debt securities held at a premium to end at the earliest call date of the debt security. If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date, the guidance requires the debt security's effective yield to be reset based on the contractual payment terms of the debt security. The guidance is effective in annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Use of the modified retrospective method, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings is required. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2019 with no expected impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (Topic 815). The new guidance changes both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and simplifies the presentation of hedge results. Specifically, the guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and also aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. Further, the new guidance provides entities the ability to apply hedge accounting to additional hedging strategies as well as permits a one-time reclassification of eligible to be hedged instruments from held to maturity to available for sale upon adoption. The guidance is effective in annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Adoption using the modified retrospective approach is required for hedging relationships that exist as of the date of adoption; presentation and disclosure requirements are applied prospectively. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2019 with no expected impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption. We will provide additional details to our hedging disclosures, beginning in the first quarter of 2019. In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging - Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes (Topic 815). The new guidance applies to all entities that elect to apply hedge accounting to benchmark interest rate hedges under Topic 815. It permits the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes in addition to the existing applicable rates. The guidance is required to be adopted concurrently with ASU 2017-12, on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after adoption. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2019 with no expected impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements at the time of adoption.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework, which amends ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurement. The ASU modifies, adds and removes certain disclosures aimed to improve the overall usefulness of the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance is effective in annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Adoption is required on both a prospective and retrospective basis depending on the amendment. The Company does not expect the application of this guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans-General (Topic 715) which applies to all employers that provide defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans for their employees. The ASU modifies, adds and removes certain disclosures aimed to improve the overall usefulness of the disclosure requirements to financial statement users. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. Use of the retrospective method is required. The Company does not expect the application of this guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Topic 350). The new guidance provides clarity on capitalizing and expensing implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements in a service contract. If an implementation cost is capitalized, the cost should be recognized over the noncancellable term and periodically assessed for impairment. The guidance is effective in annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Adoption should be applied retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Our preliminary review of this guidance to date suggests that adoption may result in a material amount of implementation costs being deferred; however, the extent of the impact will depend on the cloud computing implementations occurring at the time of adoption.