Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company has used interest rate swaps to reduce interest rate risk and to manage interest expense. By entering into these agreements, the Company converts floating rate debt into fixed rate debt, or alternatively, converts fixed rate debt into floating rate debt. Interest differentials paid or received under the swap agreements are reflected as adjustments to interest expense. These interest rate swap agreements are derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting as discussed in Note 1. The notional amounts of the interest rate swaps are not exchanged and do not represent exposure to credit loss. In the event of default by a counterparty, the risk in these transactions is the cost of replacing the agreements at current market rates.

On December 4, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement related to the outstanding trust preferred capital notes. The swap agreement became effective on December 1, 2008. The notional amount of the interest rate swap was $7.0 million and had an expiration date of December 1, 2016. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid interest quarterly at a fixed rate of 2.85% and received interest quarterly at a variable rate of three month LIBOR. The variable rate reset on each interest payment date. This agreement was designated as a cash-flow hedge at inception of the contract until the redemption of the trust preferred capital notes on July 29, 2015. As a result of the redemption, the derivative contract was no longer classified as a cash flow hedge and was recorded in the balance sheet at its fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Other operating income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following tables present the effect of the derivative instrument on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2016:





Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
		2016
		(dollars in thousands)
Interest rate swap contracts, net of tax	Other operating income	149