Commitments and Contingencies

The following table summarizes, as of the dates indicated, the contract amount of off-balance sheet instruments (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2018		2017
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
Commitments to extend credit	$	2,129,463	$	1,910,777
Letters of credit	25,447		28,075
Minimum Lease Payments	28,844		27,101

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments may expire without being drawn on, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. United evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation. Collateral held varies, but may include unimproved and improved real estate, certificates of deposit, personal property or other acceptable collateral.

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by United and could result in the commitment being drawn on when the underlying transaction is consummated between the customer and the third party or upon the non-performance of the customer. Those guarantees are primarily issued to local businesses and government agencies. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. In most cases, the Bank holds real estate, certificates of deposit, and other acceptable collateral as security supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary. The extent of collateral held for those commitments varies.

United maintains an allowance for unfunded loan commitments which is included in the balance of other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The allowance for unfunded loan commitments is determined as part of the quarterly analysis of the allowance for credit losses and is based on probable incurred losses in unfunded loan commitments that are expected to result in funded loans.

The Bank holds minor investments in certain limited partnerships for CRA purposes. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank had a recorded investment of $14.7 million in these limited partnerships and had committed to fund an additional $8.39 million related to future capital calls that has not been reflected in the consolidated balance sheet.

United, in the normal course of business, is subject to various pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these lawsuits, or the range of any possible loss, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the ultimate aggregate liability, if any, arising from these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on financial position or results of operations.