Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Unity Bancorp, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Unity Bank (the “Bank” or when consolidated with the Parent Company, the “Company”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Unity Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company incorporated in New Jersey and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, is chartered by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. The Bank provides a full range of commercial and retail banking services through nineteen branch offices located in Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. These services include the acceptance of demand, savings, and time deposits and the extension of consumer, real estate, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and other commercial credits.

Unity Bank has nine wholly-owned subsidiaries: Unity Investment Services, Inc., AJB Residential Realty Enterprises, Inc., AJB Commercial Realty, Inc., MKCD Commercial, Inc., JAH Commercial, Inc., UB Commercial LLC, ASBC Holdings LLC, Unity Property Holdings 1, Inc., and Unity Property Holdings 2, Inc. Unity Investment Services, Inc. is used to hold and administer part of the Bank’s investment portfolio. The other subsidiaries hold, administer and maintain the Bank’s other real estate owned (“OREO”) properties. Unity Investment Services, Inc. has one subsidiary, Unity Delaware Investment 2, Inc., which has one subsidiary, Unity NJ REIT, Inc. Unity NJ REIT, Inc. was formed in 2013 to hold loans.

The Company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Unity (NJ) Statutory Trust II and Unity Risk Management, Inc. For additional information on Unity (NJ) Statutory Trust II, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Unity Risk Management, Inc. is the Company's captive insurance company that insures risks to the Bank not insured by the traditional commercial insurance market.

Use Of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Amounts requiring the use of significant estimates include the allowance for loan losses, valuation of deferred tax and servicing assets, the carrying value of loans held for sale and other real estate owned, the valuation of securities and the determination of other-than-temporary impairment for securities and fair value disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits.

Securities

The Company classifies its securities into three categories, available for sale, held to maturity and equity investments.

Securities that are classified as available for sale are stated at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale are generally excluded from results of operations and are reported as other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders' equity, net of taxes. Securities classified as available for sale include securities that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risks or for asset/liability management purposes. The cost of securities sold is determined on a specific identification basis. Gains and losses on sales of securities are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income on the date of sale.

Securities are classified as held to maturity based on management’s intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Such securities are stated at cost, adjusted for unamortized purchase premiums and discounts using the level yield method.

If transfers between the available for sale and held to maturity portfolios occur, they are accounted for at fair value and unrealized holding gains and losses are accounted for at the date of transfer. For securities transferred to available for sale from held to maturity, unrealized gains or losses as of the date of the transfer are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. For securities transferred into the held to maturity portfolio from the available for sale portfolio, unrealized gains or losses as of the date of transfer continue to be reported in other comprehensive income (loss), and are amortized over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment to its yield, consistent with amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount.

Equity securities are investments carried at fair value that may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for other business purposes. Activity in this portfolio is undertaken primarily to manage liquidity and interest rate risk, to take advantage of market conditions that create economically attractive returns and as an additional source of earnings. These securities were transferred from available for sale and reclassified into equity securities on the balance sheet as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 in January 2018. Periodic net gains and losses on equity investments are recognized in the income statement as realized gains and losses.

For additional information on securities, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

The Company has a process in place to identify debt securities that could potentially incur credit impairment that is other-than-temporary. This process involves monitoring late payments, pricing levels, downgrades by rating agencies, key financial ratios, financial statements, revenue forecasts and cash flow projections as indicators of credit issues. Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concern warrants such evaluation. This evaluation considers relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest rate-related impairment of a security is other-than-temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances considered include: (1) the extent and length of time the fair value has been below cost; (2) the reasons for the decline in value; (3) the financial position and access to capital of the issuer, including the current and future impact of any specific events and (4) for fixed maturity securities, the intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity.

For debt securities that are considered other-than-temporarily impaired where management has no intent to sell and the Company has no requirement to sell prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, the amount of the impairment is separated into the amount that is credit related (credit loss component) and the amount due to all other factors. The credit loss component is recognized in earnings and is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows. The remaining difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of future expected cash flows is due to factors that are not credit related and is recognized in other comprehensive income. For debt securities where management has the intent to sell, the amount of the impairment is reflected in earnings as realized losses.

The present value of expected future cash flows is determined using the best estimate cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit to the security at the date of purchase or the current yield to accrete an asset-backed or floating rate security. The methodology and assumptions for establishing the best estimate cash flows vary depending on the type of security. The asset-backed securities cash flow estimates are based on bond specific facts and circumstances that may include collateral characteristics, expectations of delinquency and default rates, loss severity and prepayment speeds and structural support, including subordination and guarantees. The corporate bond cash flow estimates are derived from scenario-based outcomes of expected corporate restructurings or the disposition of assets using bond specific facts and circumstances including timing, security interests and loss severity.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Loans

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale represent the guaranteed portion of SBA loans and are reflected at the lower of aggregate cost or market value. The Company originates loans to customers under an SBA program that historically has provided for SBA guarantees of up to 90 percent of each loan. The Company generally sells the guaranteed portion of its SBA loans to a third party and retains the servicing, holding the nonguaranteed portion in its portfolio. The net amount of loan origination fees on loans sold is included in the carrying value and in the gain or loss on the sale. When sales of SBA loans do occur, the premium received on the sale and the present value of future cash flows of the servicing assets are recognized in income. All criteria for sale accounting must be met in order for the loan sales to occur; see details under the “Transfers of Financial Assets” heading above.

Servicing assets represent the estimated fair value of retained servicing rights, net of servicing costs, at the time loans are sold. Servicing assets are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on stratifying the underlying financial assets by date of origination and term. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Any impairment, if temporary, would generally be reported as a valuation allowance.

Serviced loans sold to others are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income and fees collected for loan servicing are credited to noninterest income when earned, net of amortization on the related servicing assets.

For additional information on servicing assets, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment are stated at the unpaid principal balance, net of unearned discounts and deferred loan origination fees and costs. In accordance with the level yield method, loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the estimated life of the related loans as an adjustment to the loan yield. Interest is credited to operations primarily based upon the principal balance outstanding.

Loans are reported as past due when either interest or principal is unpaid in the following circumstances: fixed payment loans when the borrower is in arrears for two or more monthly payments; open end credit for two or more billing cycles; and single payment notes if interest or principal remains unpaid for 30 days or more.

Nonperforming loans consist of loans that are not accruing interest as a result of principal or interest being delinquent for a period of 90 days or more or when the ability to collect principal and interest according to the contractual terms is in doubt (nonaccrual loans). When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, interest accruals are discontinued and all past due interest previously recognized as income is reversed and charged against current period earnings. Generally, until the loan becomes current, any payments received from the borrower are applied to outstanding principal until such time as management determines that the financial condition of the borrower and other factors merit recognition of a portion of such payments as interest income. Loans may be returned to an accrual status when the ability to collect is reasonably assured and when the loan is brought current as to principal and interest.

Loans are charged off when collection is sufficiently questionable and when the Company can no longer justify maintaining the loan as an asset on the balance sheet. Loans qualify for charge-off when, after thorough analysis, all possible sources of repayment are insufficient. These include: 1) potential future cash flows, 2) value of collateral, and/or 3) strength of co-makers and guarantors. All unsecured loans are charged off upon the establishment of the loan’s nonaccrual status. Additionally, all loans classified as a loss or that portion of the loan classified as a loss is charged off. All loan charge-offs are approved by the Board of Directors.

Troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") occur when a creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to a debtor’s financial condition, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. These concessions typically include reductions in interest rate, extending the maturity of a loan, or a combination of both. Interest income on accruing TDRs is credited to operations primarily based upon the principal amount outstanding, as stated in the paragraphs above.

The Company evaluates its loans for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company has defined impaired loans to be all TDRs and nonperforming loans. Impairment is evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of a similar nature (consumer and residential mortgage loans), and on an individual basis for all other loans. Impairment of a loan is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, based on a loan’s observable market price or the fair value of collateral, net of estimated costs to sell, if the loan is collateral-dependent. If the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the Company establishes

Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Loan Commitments

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level management considers adequate to provide for probable loan losses as of the balance sheet date. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and is reduced by net charge-offs.

The level of the allowance is based on management’s evaluation of probable losses in the loan portfolio, after consideration of prevailing economic conditions in the Company’s market area, the volume and composition of the loan portfolio, and historical loan loss experience. The allowance for loan losses consists of specific reserves for individually impaired credits and TDRs, reserves for nonimpaired loans based on historical loss factors adjusted for general economic factors and other qualitative risk factors such as changes in delinquency trends, industry concentrations or local/national economic trends. This risk assessment process is performed at least quarterly, and, as adjustments become necessary, they are realized in the periods in which they become known.

Although management attempts to maintain the allowance at a level deemed adequate to provide for probable losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon certain factors including changes in market conditions and underlying collateral values. In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for loan losses. These agencies may require the Company to make additional provisions based on judgments about information available at the time of the examination.

The Company maintains a reserve for unfunded loan commitments at a level that management believes is adequate to absorb estimated probable losses. Adjustments to the reserve are made through other expenses and applied to the reserve which is classified as other liabilities.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. All other fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful life of buildings is not to exceed 30 years; furniture and fixtures is generally 10 years or less, and equipment is 3 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the life of the underlying lease.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company purchased life insurance policies on certain members of management. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value or the amount that can be realized.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Federal law requires a member institution of the Federal Home Loan Bank system to hold stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula. The stock is carried at cost. Management reviews the stock for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost basis in the stock. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. Management considers such criteria as the significance of the decline in net assets, if any, of the FHLB, the length of time this situation has persisted, commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation, the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of the FHLB and the liquidity position of the FHLB.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned is recorded at the fair value, less estimated costs to sell at the date of acquisition, with a charge to the allowance for loan losses for any excess of the loan carrying value over such amount. Subsequently, OREO is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, as determined by current appraisals. Certain costs that increase the value or extend the useful life in preparing properties for sale are capitalized to the extent that the appraisal amount exceeds the carry value, and expenses of holding foreclosed properties are charged to operations as incurred.

Appraisals

The Company requires current real estate appraisals on all loans that become OREO or in-substance foreclosure, loans that are classified substandard, doubtful or loss, or loans that are over $100,000 and nonperforming. Prior to each balance sheet date, the Company values impaired collateral-dependent loans and OREO based upon a third party appraisal, broker's price opinion, drive by appraisal, automated valuation model, updated market evaluation, or a combination of these methods. The amount is discounted for the decline in market real estate values (for original appraisals), for any known damage or repair costs, and for selling and closing costs. The amount of the discount is dependent upon the method used to determine the original value. The original appraisal is generally used when a loan is first determined to be impaired. When applying the discount, the Company takes into consideration when the appraisal was performed, the collateral’s location, the type of collateral, any known damage to the property and the type of business. Subsequent to entering impaired status and the Company determining that there is a collateral shortfall, the Company will generally, depending on the type of collateral, order a third party appraisal, broker's price opinion, automated valuation model or updated market evaluation. Subsequent to receiving the third party results, the Company will discount the value 6 to 10 percent for selling and closing costs.

Income Taxes

The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("FASB ASC") Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition of income taxes and provides criteria for the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also includes guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition of income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates applicable to taxable income for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation reserves are established against certain deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Increases or decreases in the valuation reserve are charged or credited to the income tax provision.

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that ultimately would be sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. The evaluation of a tax position taken is considered by itself and not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in income tax expense on the income statement.

Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per common share is calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period.

Diluted net income per common share is computed similarly to that of basic net income per common share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive common shares, principally stock options, were issued during the reporting period utilizing the Treasury stock method. However, when a net loss rather than net income is recognized, diluted earnings per share equals basic earnings per share.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” which requires recognition of compensation expense related to stock-based compensation awards over the period during which an employee is required to provide service for the award. Compensation expense is equal to the fair value of the award, net of estimated forfeitures, and is recognized over the vesting period of such awards.

Fair Value

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,” which provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income consists of the change in unrealized gains (losses) on SERP, securities available for sale and swap related items that were reported as a component of shareholders’ equity, net of tax.

Advertising

The Company expenses the costs of advertising in the period incurred.

Dividend Restrictions

Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels that may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to the holding company or by the holding company to the shareholders.

Operating Segments

While management monitors the revenue streams of its various products and services, operating results and financial performance are evaluated on a company-wide basis. The Company’s management uses consolidated results to make operating and strategic decisions. Accordingly, there is only one reportable segment.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” ASU 2014-09 replaced almost all existing revenue recognition guidance in current U.S. GAAP. The Company’s main source of revenue is comprised of net interest income on interest earning assets and liabilities and non-interest income. The scope of the guidance explicitly excludes net interest income as well as many other revenues for financial assets and liabilities including loans, leases, securities, and derivatives.

Under previous U.S. GAAP, when full consideration is not expected and financing is required by the buyer to purchase the property, there are very prescriptive requirements in determining when foreclosed real estate property sold by an institution should be derecognized and a gain or loss be recognized. The new guidance that was applied to these sales is more principles based. For example, as it pertains to the criteria for determining how a contract should be accounted for under the new guidance, judgment will need to be exercised in evaluating if: (a) a commitment on the buyer’s part exists, (b) collection is probable in circumstances where the initial investment is minimal and (c) the buyer has obtained control of the asset, including the significant risks and rewards of the ownership. If there is no commitment on the buyer’s part, collection is not probable or the buyer has not obtained control of the asset, then a gain cannot be recognized under the new guidance. The initial investment requirement for the buyer along with the various methods for profit recognition are no longer applicable.

For deposit-related fees, considering the straightforward nature of the arrangements with the Company’s deposits customers, the Company's recognition and measurement outcomes of deposit-related fees was not significant differently under the new guidance compared to previous U.S. GAAP.

ASU 2014-09 was to be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and was to be applied on either a modified retrospective or full retrospective basis. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which defers the original effective date for all entities by one year. Public business entities should apply the guidance in ASU 2015-14 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company applied this change on January 1, 2018 and the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements was immaterial.

ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This eliminates the available for sale classification of accounting for equity securities and adjusts the fair value disclosures for financial instruments carried at amortized cost such that the disclosed fair values represent an exit price as opposed to an entry price. This update requires that equity securities be carried at fair value on the balance sheet and any periodic changes in value will be adjusted through the income statement. A practical expedient is provided for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, such that these securities can be carried at cost less any impairment. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, $195 thousand in unrealized losses on equity securities were reclassified to net income.

ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. ASU 2016-02 was issued in three parts: (a) Section A, “Leases: Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification®,” (b) Section B, “Conforming Amendments Related to Leases: Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification®,” and (c) Section C, “Background Information and Basis for Conclusions.” While both lessees and lessors are affected by the new guidance, the effects on lessees are much more significant. The update states that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The core principle requires the lessee to recognize a liability to make lease payments and a "right-of-use" asset. The standards update also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures. For public business entities, ASC 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. ASC 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition for all entities. In January 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-01, " Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842." ASU 2018-01 was issued to facilitate the implementation of ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-01 would give entities the option to apply ASC 842 as of the effective date, rather than as of the beginning of the earliest period presented. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendment are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-02. The standard will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, but will not have an impact on its consolidated income statements. The most significant impact will be the recognition of right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while the accounting for finance leases will remain substantially unchanged. As of December 31, 2018, the Company is expecting the addition of $3.0 million in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to be added its consolidated balance sheets.

ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." ASU 2016-13 was issued to replace 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. For public business entities, ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." ASU 2016-15 was issued to address diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and other Topics. This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments in this update provide guidance on the following eight specific cash flow issues:


•	Debt Prepayment or Debt Extinguishment Costs


•	Settlement of Zero-Coupon Debt Instruments or Other Debt Instruments with Coupon Interest Rates That Are Insignificant in Relation to the Effective Interest Rate of the Borrowing


•	Contingent Consideration Payments Made after a Business Combination


•	Proceeds from the Settlement of Insurance Claims


•	Proceeds from the Settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance Policies, include Bank-Owned Life Insurance Policies


•	Distributions Received from Equity Method Investees


•	Beneficial Interest in Securitization Transactions


•	Separately Identifiable Cash Flows and Application of the Predominance Principle

The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has applied this change and the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-15 on its consolidated financial statements was immaterial.

ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash." ASU 2016-18 was issued to address divergence in the way restricted cash is classified and presented. The amendments in the update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during a reporting period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. The amendments in this update apply to entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The amendment says that transfers between cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents are not part of the entity's operating, investing, and financing activities. For public business entities, ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has applied this change and the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-18 on its consolidated financial statements was immaterial.

ASU 2017-04, "Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." ASU 2017-04 was issued in an effort to simplify accounting in a new standard. The amendments in this update require that an entity perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The amendment states that an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, but the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For public business entities, ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performing on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements since the fair values of our reporting units were not lower than their respective carrying amounts at the time of our goodwill impairment analysis for 2018.

ASU 2017-08, "Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities." ASU 2017-08 was issued to enhance the accounting for the amortization of premiums for purchased callable debt securities. This amendment requires that the amortization premium be shortened to the earliest call date. For public business entities, ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has applied this change and the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-08 on its consolidated financial statements was immaterial.

ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." ASU 2017-12 was issued to ease the burden associated with assessing hedge effectiveness and to promote better financial statement alignment of the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item. This guidance requires entities to present the earnings effect of the hedging instrument in the same income statement line item with the earnings effect on the hedged item. In October 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-16, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financial Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes." ASU 2018-16 was issued to expand the list of benchmark interest rates for hedge accounting. The effective date for the amendment is the same as the effective date for ASU 2017-12. For public business entities, ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2017-12 and ASU 2018-16 are not expected to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." ASU 2018-02 allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") to retained earnings for the stranded tax effects caused by the revaluation of deferred taxes resulting from the newly enacted corporate tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The ASU is effective in years beginning after December 15, 2018, but permits early adoption in a period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company has elected to early adopt the ASU as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of the guidance resulted in a $75 thousand cumulative-effect adjustment that increased retained earnings and decreased AOCI in the first quarter of 2018.

Goodwill

The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Based on a qualitative assessment, management determined that the Company’s recorded goodwill totaling $1.5 million, which resulted from the 2005 acquisition of its Phillipsburg, New Jersey branch, is not impaired as of December 31, 2018.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated all events or transactions that occurred through the date the Company issued these financial statements. During this period, the Company did not have any material recognizable or non-recognizable subsequent events.

Revenue Recognition

ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity's contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.

The majority of our revenue-generating transactions are not subject to ASC 606, including revenue generated from financial instruments, such as our loans, letters of credit, derivatives and investment securities, as well as revenue related to our mortgage servicing activities, as these activities are subject to other GAAP discussed elsewhere within our disclosures. Descriptions of our revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of ASC 606, which are presented in our income statements as components of non-interest income are as follows:

•

Service charges on deposit accounts - these represent general service fees for monthly account maintenance and activity- or transaction based fees and consist of transaction-based revenue, time-based revenue (service period), item-based revenue or some other individual attribute-based revenue. Revenue is recognized when our performance obligation is completed which is generally monthly for account maintenance services or when a transaction has been completed (such as a wire transfer). Payment for such performance obligations are generally received at the time the performance obligations are satisfied.


•	Other non-interest income primarily includes items such as letter of credit fees, bank owned life insurance income, dividends on FHLB and FRB stock and other general operating income, none of which are subject to the requirements of ASC 606.