Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2019

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU” or “Update”) 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchase Callable Debt Securities. This Update amends guidance on the amortization period of premiums on certain purchased callable debt securities. The amendments shorten the amortization period of premiums on purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date. This Update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The effective date of ASU 2017-08 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases. This Update is being issued to increase the transparency and comparability around lease obligations. Previously unrecorded off-balance sheet obligations and corresponding rights to use underlying leased assets will now be recorded in the consolidated financial statements, accompanied by enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The Update is generally effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.  ASU 2018-10 provides improvements related to ASU 2016-02 to increase stakeholders’ awareness of the amendments to Topic 842 and to expedite the improvements.  The amendments affect narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-02.  ASU 2018-11 allows entities adopting ASU 2016-02 to choose an additional transition method, under which an entity initially applies the accounting guidance for leases under Topic 842 at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Additionally, ASU 2018-11 allows an entity electing this additional transition method to continue to present comparative period financial statements in accordance with Topic 840 (current U.S. GAAP).   ASU 2018-11 also allows lessors to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component if certain conditions are met.  The amendments in these updates became effective for annual periods as well as interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.

The Company elected to apply the transition provisions of Topic 842 using the alternative transition method whereby comparative periods are not restated. The Company also elected to adopt the “package” of practical expedients in its transition to Topic 842, as specified in ASC 842-10-65. The results of this policy election are that the Company reflected the provisions of Topic 842 in its consolidated financial statements for the first time as of and for the period ended March 31, 2019 (the period of adoption). The Company measured and recorded liabilities to make lease payments as well as right-of-use assets in the period of adoption for leases that existed as of the transition date, and will continue to present all comparative periods under Topic 840. Under this elected transition method, the Company is not required to reassess the following as part of its transition to Topic 842: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases, (2) lease classifications for any existing or expired leases and (3) initial direct costs for any existing leases. Additionally, the Company elected to apply the use of hindsight in its assessment of the term for its leases upon transition, which allows for consideration of the Company’s option to extend or terminate a lease.

The Company adopted the provisions of Topic 842 on January 1, 2019, and in its transition Topic 842, the Company initially recorded a liability to make future lease payments of approximately $45.7 million and right-of-use assets of approximately $43.8 million. The difference of $1.9 million is the accounting adjustments previously recorded under Topic 840 and Topic 805, as required by transition guidance in ASC 842-10-65. The Company was not required to record a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as part of its transition to Topic 842. The Company’s evaluation of lease obligations and service agreements under the new standard included an assessment of the appropriate classification and related accounting of each lease agreement, a review of applicability of the new standard to existing service agreements and gathering all essential lease data to facilitate the application of the new standard. The Company’s review indicated that all of its leases are classified as operating leases or short-term leases. In accordance with the provisions of Topic 842, liabilities to make future lease payments and right-of-use assets are only recorded for leases that are not considered short-term (leases with an original term of greater than 12 months). The Company records expense for its leases on a straight-line basis in accordance with the requirements under Topic 842 for operating leases. The Company’s expense recognition for its operating leases (including short-term leases) under Topic 842 has not differed significantly from that recorded under Topic 840. Right-of-use assets for operating leases are amortized over the lease term and liabilities to make future lease payments are accounted for using the interest method, both in accordance with Topic 842. Please also refer to Note 13 - Leases for additional information related to the Company’s leases.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective

In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. This Update provides clarification on certain aspects of an entity’s implementation of Topic 842 including those that relate to:

(1) Determining the fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers. The amendments related to this item carry forward from Topic 840 to Topic 842 an exception that allows lessors who are not manufacturers or dealers to use the cost of the underlying asset as its fair value.

(2) Presentation on the statement of cash flows - sales-type and direct financing leases. The amendments related to this item clarify that all principal payments received on leases by lessors in sales-type or direct financing lease transactions should be reflected in investing activities for entities such as depository and lending institutions within in the scope of Topic 942.

(3) Transition disclosures related to Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. The amendments related to this item clarify the FASB’s original intent by explicitly providing an exception to the paragraph 250-10-50-3 interim disclosure requirements in the Topic 842 transition disclosure requirements, which would otherwise require interim disclosures after the date of adoption of Topic 842 related to the impacts of the change on: (a) income from continuing operations, (b) net income, (c) any other financial statement line item and (d) any affected per-share amounts.

The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the effects of this ASU will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this Update modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement.

The following disclosure requirements for public companies were removed from Topic 820:

• The amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy

• The policy for timing of transfers between levels

• The valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements

The following disclosure requirements for public companies were modified in Topic 820:

• The amendments clarify that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date

The following disclosure requirements for public companies were added to Topic 820:

• The changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period

• The range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. For certain unobservable inputs, an entity may disclose other quantitative information (such as the median or arithmetic average) in lieu of the weighted average if the entity determines that other quantitative information would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements

The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. In addition, an entity may early adopt any of the removed or modified disclosures immediately and delay adoption of the new disclosures until the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2018-13 on its financial statements and disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This Update replaces the incurred loss impairment model in current U.S. GAAP with a model that reflects current expected credit losses (“CECL”). The CECL model is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures. The Update requires that all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date be measured based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Update also requires enhanced disclosure, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures that provide additional information about significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses. For public business entities, the Update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2016-13 on its financial statements and disclosures. The Company has formed a working group and a committee made up of members of finance, credit and risk management that are in the process of compiling and analyzing key data elements and implementing a software model that will meet the requirements of the new guidance. The Company has contracted with an industry expert to: (1) develop a new expected loss model with supportable assumptions, (2) identify data, reporting, and disclosure gaps, (3) provide quantitative modeling and (4) assess, develop and document updates to accounting policies, new processes and controls. The Company continues to work through the process of model development, including data gathering and input, review of key model assumptions and calculations, development of model related documentation, and policies and disclosures. The magnitude of the adjustment and the overall impact of the new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements cannot yet be reasonably estimated.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition – The Company accounts for certain of its revenue streams in accordance with ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenue streams within the scope of and accounted for under ASC 606 include: service charges and fees on deposit accounts, debit card interchange fees, fees from other services the Bank provides its customers and gains and losses from the sale of other real estate owned and property, premises and equipment. ASC 606 requires revenue to be recognized when the Company satisfies related performance obligations by transferring to the customer a good or service. The recognition of revenue under ASC 606 requires the Company to first identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and finally recognize revenue when the performance obligations have been satisfied and the good or service has been transferred. The majority of the Company’s contracts with customers associated with revenue streams that are within the scope of ASC 606 are considered short-term in nature and can be canceled at any time by the customer or the Bank, such as a deposit account agreement. Other more significant revenue streams for the Company such as interest income on loans and investment securities are specifically excluded from the scope of ASC 606 and are accounted for under other applicable U.S. GAAP.

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible – Goodwill is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate the necessity for such impairment tests to be performed. The Company has selected the fourth quarter as the period to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on our balance sheet.Core deposit intangible assets arising from whole bank acquisitions are amortized on either an accelerated basis, reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets is consumed or otherwise used up, or on a straight-line amortization method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 10 years.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates – 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurement

The fair value of an asset or liability is the exchange price that would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer that liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. In estimating fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach, and/or the cost approach. Such valuation techniques are consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques include the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC Topic 825 requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including both those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis and a non-recurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value are discussed below.

In accordance with accounting guidance, the Company groups its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, volatilities, etc.) or model-based valuation techniques where all significant assumptions are observable, either directly or indirectly, in the market.

Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques where one or more significant inputs are not observable, either directly or indirectly, in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques may include use of matrix pricing, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.

Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature, and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the fair values presented. Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent limitations in any estimation technique.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Management maximizes the use of observable inputs and attempts to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value measurements. Estimated fair values are disclosed for financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. These estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market data and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time, nor do they attempt to estimate the value of anticipated future business related to the instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following is a description of both the general and specific valuation methodologies used to measure financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis, as well as the general classification of these instruments pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.

Investment securities – Investment securities are generally valued based upon quotes obtained from independent third-party pricing services, which uses evaluated pricing applications and model processes. Observable market inputs, such as, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data are considered as part of the evaluation. The inputs are related directly to the security being evaluated, or indirectly to a similarly situated security. Market assumptions and market data are utilized in the valuation models. The Company reviews the market prices provided by the third-party pricing service for reasonableness based on the Company’s understanding of the market place and credit issues related to the securities. The Company has not made any adjustments to the market quotes provided by them and, accordingly, the Company categorized its investment portfolio within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative assets and liabilities - The Company originates a variable rate loan and enters into a variable-to-fixed interest rate swap with the customer. The Company also enters into an offsetting swap with a correspondent bank. These back-to-back agreements are intended to offset each other and allow the Company to originate a variable rate loan, while providing a contract for fixed interest payments for the customer. The net cash flow for the Company is equal to the interest income received from a variable rate loan originated with the customer. The fair value of these derivatives is based on a market standard discounted cash flow approach. Due to the observable nature of the inputs used in deriving the fair value of these derivative contracts, the valuation of interest rate swaps is classified as Level 2.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated:

	March 31, 2019
	Fair Value Measurement Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	—	$	61,901	$	—	$	61,901
Agency	—		165,488		—		165,488
Corporate	—		137,855		—		137,855
Municipal bonds	—		217,016		—		217,016
Collateralized mortgage obligation	—		23,451		—		23,451
Mortgage-backed securities	—		565,699		—		565,699
Total securities available-for-sale	$	—	$	1,171,410	$	—	$	1,171,410
Derivative assets	$	—	$	1,068	$	—	$	1,068
Financial liabilities
Derivative liabilities	$	—	$	1,068	$	—	$	1,068

	December 31, 2018
	Fair Value Measurement Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Treasury	$	—	$	60,912	$	—	$	60,912
Agency	—		130,070		—		130,070
Corporate	—		103,543		—		103,543
Municipal bonds	—		238,630		—		238,630
Collateralized mortgage obligation	—		24,338		—		24,338
Mortgage-backed securities	—		545,729		—		545,729
Total securities available-for-sale	$	—	$	1,103,222	$	—	$	1,103,222
Derivative assets	$	—	$	1,681	$	—	$	1,681
Financial liabilities
Derivative liabilities	$	—	$	1,681	$	—	$	1,681

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Impaired Loans and Other Real Estate Owned – A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral or the discounted expected future cash flows. The Company measures impairment on all nonaccrual loans for which it has reduced the principal balance to the value of the underlying collateral less the anticipated selling cost. OREO are recorded at estimated fair value less the costs to sell at the time of foreclosure or at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less the costs to sell subsequent to acquisition. As such, the Company records impaired loans and OREO as Level 3. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, substantially all the Company’s impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of their underlying collateral based upon the most recent appraisal available to management. The Company has recorded a specific reserve in the amount of $3.2 million on 10 loans with a recorded balance of $8.7 million.

The fair value of impaired loans and other real estate owned were determined using Level 3 assumptions, and represents impaired loan and other real estate owned balances for which a specific reserve has been established or on which a write down has been taken. Generally, the Company obtains third party appraisals (or property valuations) and/or collateral audits in conjunction with internal analysis based on historical experience on its impaired loans and other real estate owned to determine fair value. In determining the net realizable value of the underlying collateral for impaired loans, the Company will then discount the valuation to cover both market price fluctuations and selling costs the Company expected would be incurred in the event of foreclosure. In addition to the discounts taken, the Company’s calculation of net realizable value considered any other senior liens in place on the underlying collateral.