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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (the “Corporation”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Pacific Premier Bank (the “Bank”) (collectively, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments and accruals that are necessary for a fair presentation of the statement of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or the full year ending December 31, 2021. Certain items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Reclassification had no effect on prior year net income or stockholders’ equity.
 
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”).
Variable Interest Entities The Company consolidates voting entities in which the Company has control through voting interests or entities through which the Company has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The Company evaluates its interests in these entities to determine whether they meet the definition of a VIE and whether the Company is required to consolidate these entities. A VIE is consolidated by its primary beneficiary, which is the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (ii) a variable interest that could potentially be significant to the VIE. To determine whether or not a variable interest the Company holds could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the nature, size, and form of the Company's involvement with the VIE.The Company is involved with VIEs through its loan securitization activities, affordable housing investments that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”), and trust subsidiaries, which have issued trust preferred securities. The Company has determined that its interests in these entities meet the definition of variable interests.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2021
    
In October 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU” or “Update”) 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The amendments included in this Update are intended to clarify that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of paragraph 310-20-35-33 for each reporting period. The guidance in paragraph 310-20-35-33 relates to amortization of premiums on individual callable debt securities and the period over which the premium shall be amortized in relation to the date the security is callable. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those years. The Company’s adoption of this Update did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments in this Update clarify the interaction of the accounting for equity securities under Topic 321 and investments under the equity method of accounting in Topic 323, as well as the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options accounted for under Topic 815. The amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. The amendments within this Update also clarify that when applying the guidance in paragraph 815-10-15-141(a) an entity should not consider whether, upon the settlement of the forward contract or exercise of the purchased option, individually or with existing investments, the underlying securities would be accounted for under the equity method in Topic 323 or the fair value option in accordance with the financial instruments guidance in Topic 825. An entity also would evaluate the remaining characteristics in paragraph 815-10-15-141 to determine the accounting for those forward contracts and purchased options. The amendments within this Update became effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company’s adoption of this Update did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which includes updates to Topic 740 - Income Taxes. The amendments to this Update include the removal of the following exceptions included in Topic 740:

(1) Exception to the general intra-period tax allocation principle when there is a loss from continuing operations and income or a gain from other items (for example, discontinued operations or other comprehensive income);
(2) Exception to the requirement to recognize a deferred tax liability for equity method investments when a foreign subsidiary becomes an equity method investment;
(3) Exception to the ability not to recognize a deferred tax liability for a foreign subsidiary when a foreign equity method investment becomes a subsidiary; and
(4) Exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year.

The amendments included in this update also require the following:

(1) Requiring that an entity recognize a franchise tax by (i) accounting for the amount based on income under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740 and (ii) accounting for any residual amount as a non-income-based tax.
(2) Requiring that an entity evaluate when a step up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in which the book goodwill was originally recognized and when it should be considered a separate transaction.
(3) Specifying that an entity is not required to allocate any portion of the consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense to a legal entity that is not subject to tax in its separate financial statements. However, an entity may elect to do so (on an entity-by-entity basis) for a legal entity that is both not subject to tax and disregarded by the taxing authority.
(4) Requiring that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date.
(5) Making minor Codification improvements for tax benefits related to tax-deductible dividends on employee stock ownership plan shares and investments in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for using the equity method.

The amendments within this Update became effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company’s adoption of this Update did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The amendments included in this Update clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the worldwide transition to new reference rates (commonly referred to as the “discounting transition”).

Specifically, certain provisions in Topic 848, if elected by an entity, apply to derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that is modified as a result of reference rate reform. Amendments in this Update are to the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 and capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. The amendments in this Update are effective immediately for all entities that elect to apply the optional guidance in Topic 848.

An entity may elect to apply the amendments in this Update on a full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or on a prospective basis to new modifications from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to the date of the issuance of a final Update, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Update on its consolidated financial statements, upon which this accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In response to concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates (“IBORs”), and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), regulators around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction-based and less susceptible to manipulation. The amendments in this Update provide optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting as well as optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this Update apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022. The amendments in this Update are elective and became effective upon issuance for all entities.
An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications by Topic or Industry Subtopic as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. Once elected for a Topic or an Industry Subtopic, the amendments in this Update must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications for that Topic or Industry Subtopic. The Company has not yet made a determination on whether it will make this election and is currently tracking the exposure as of each reporting period and assessing the significance of impact towards implementing any necessary modification in consideration of the election of this amendment.

An entity may elect to apply the amendments in this Update to eligible hedging relationships existing as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020 and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020. The Company has not entered into any hedging related transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate that is expected to be discontinued, and as such, the amendments included in this Update have not had an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company has created a cross-functional working group to manage the transition away from LIBOR. This working group is comprised of senior leadership and staff from functional areas that include: finance, treasury, lending, loan servicing, enterprise risk management, information technology, legal, and other internal stakeholders integral to the Bank’s transition away from LIBOR. The working group monitors developments related to transition and uncertainty surrounding reference rate reform and guides the Bank’s response. The working group is currently assessing the population of financial instruments that reference LIBOR, confirming our loan documents that reference LIBOR have been appropriately amended, ensuring that our internal systems are prepared for the transition, and managing the transition process with our customers. While the Company has not yet selected a preferred reference rate as an alternative to LIBOR, currently, new loan originations are primarily being made with the use of the Constant Maturity Treasury (“CMT”) Index. The Company may also consider the use of other alternative reference rates based on the individual needs of its customers as well as the types of credit being extended.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) - Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The FASB issued this Update to address complexities associated with the accounting for certain financial instruments that possess characteristics of liabilities and equity, and to amend guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity in an effort to reduce disparate accounting results for certain economically similar contracts. With respect to convertible instruments, this Update eliminates certain accounting models with the intent to simplify the accounting for convertible instruments and reduce the complexity for preparers and users of an entity’s financial statements. Convertible instruments primarily affected by this Update are those issued with beneficial conversion features or cash conversion features, because the accounting models for those specific features are removed. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, the type of contracts primarily affected by this Update are freestanding and embedded features that are accounted for as derivatives under the current guidance due to a failure to meet the settlement conditions of the derivative scope exception. This Update simplifies the related settlement assessment by removing the requirements to (i) consider whether the contract would be settled in registered shares, (ii) consider whether collateral is required to be posted, and (iii) assess shareholder rights. This Update also makes targeted improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and earnings per share guidance. Entities may adopt the provisions of this Update using either the modified retrospective method or a fully retrospective method. Under the modified retrospective method, entities are required to apply the guidance to transactions outstanding as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the amendments in this Update are adopted. Any cumulative effect of the change should be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption for entities applying the modified retrospective method. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the impact of this Update on its financial statements.
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition. The Company accounts for certain of its revenue streams deemed to arise from contracts with customers 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, custodial account 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. These revenue streams are included in noninterest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. 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. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for the transfer of goods or services to the associated customer. 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 GAAP.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. 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 indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances lead management to believe the value of goodwill may be impaired. Impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level, which is considered the Company level as management has identified the Company is its sole reporting unit as of September 30, 2021. Management’s assessment of goodwill is performed in accordance with ASC 350-20 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Goodwill, which allows the Company to first perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill to determine if it is more likely than not the fair value of the Company’s equity is below its carrying value. However, GAAP also allows the Company, at its option, to unconditionally forego the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to a quantitative assessment. When performing a qualitative assessment of goodwill, should the results of such analysis indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of the Company’s equity is below its carrying value, the Company then performs the quantitative assessment of goodwill to determine the fair value of the reporting unit and compares it to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying value, the Company would then recognize the amount of impairment as the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Impairment losses are recorded as a charge to noninterest expense.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangible (“CDI”) and customer relationship intangible assets arising from whole bank acquisitions, and are amortized on either an accelerated basis, reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise used, or on a straight-line amortization method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 11 years. GAAP also requires that intangible assets other than goodwill be tested for impairment when events and circumstances change, indicating that their carrying value may not be recoverable. For intangible assets other than goodwill, the Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine if the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. A quantitative assessment is followed to determine the amount of impairment in the event the carrying value of such assets are deemed not recoverable. Impairment is measured as the amount by which their carrying value exceeds their estimated fair value.
Leases
Leases. The Company accounts for its leases in accordance with ASC 842, which requires the Company to record liabilities for future lease obligations as well as assets representing the right to use the underlying leased asset. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are accounted for using straight-line expense recognition with no right-of-use asset being recorded for such leases. Other than short-term leases, the Company classifies its leases as either finance leases or operating leases. Leases are classified as finance leases when any of the following are met: (a) the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term, (b) the lease contains an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, (c) the term of the lease represents a major part of the remaining life of the underlying asset, (d) the present value of the future lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset, or (e) the underling leased asset is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term due to its specialized nature. When the Company’s assessment of a lease does not meet the foregoing criteria, and the term of the lease is in excess of 12 months, the lease is classified as an operating lease.    

Liabilities to make lease payments and right-of-use assets are determined based on the total contractual base rents for each lease, discounted at the rate implicit in the lease or at the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate if the rate is not implicit in the lease. The Company measures future base rents based on the minimum payments specified in the lease agreement, giving consideration for periodic contractual rent increases which are based on an escalation rate or a specified index. When future rent payments are based on an index, the Company uses the index rate observed at the time of lease commencement to measure future lease payments. Liabilities to make lease payments are accounted for using the interest method, which are reduced by periodic rent payments, net of interest accretion. Right-of-use assets for finance leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, while right-of-use assets for operating leases are amortized over the term of the lease by amounts that represent the difference between periodic straight-line lease expense and periodic interest accretion on the related liability to make lease payments. Expense recognition for finance leases is representative of the sum of periodic amortization of the associated right-of-use asset as well as the periodic interest accretion on the liability to make lease payments. Expense recognition for operating leases is recorded on a straight-line basis. As of September 30, 2021, all of the Company’s leases were classified as either operating leases or short-term leases.

From time to time the Company leases portions of the space it leases to other parties through sublease transactions. Income received from these transactions is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the sublease.
Securities/Securities Held-to-Maturity/Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities. The Company has established written guidelines and objectives for its investing activities. At the time of purchase, management designates the security as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or held for trading based on the Company’s investment objectives, operational needs, and intent. The investments are monitored to ensure that those activities are consistent with the established guidelines and objectives.
 
Securities Held-to-Maturity. Investments in debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at cost and adjusted for periodic principal payments and the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period of time remaining to investment’s maturity. 

Transfers of debt securities from available-for-sale classification to held-to-maturity classification are made at fair value. Any associated unrealized gains or losses on such securities become part of the security’s amortized cost at the time of transfer and are subsequently amortized or accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the security using the interest method. In addition, the related unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the time a security is transferred are also subsequently amortized or accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the security using the interest method.
Securities Available-for-Sale. Investments in debt securities that management has no immediate plan to sell, but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Premiums and discounts are amortized using the interest method over the remaining period to the call date for premiums or contractual maturity for discounts and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, the estimated average life, which can fluctuate based on the anticipated prepayments on the underlying collateral of the securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, are recorded in a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined on the specific identification method, recorded on a trade date basis based on the amortized cost basis of the specific security and are included in noninterest income as net gain (loss) on investment securities.

Equity Securities. Investments classified as equity securities that have readily determinable fair values are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings as a component of noninterest income. Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, adjusted for any observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Such investments are also recorded net of any previously recognized impairment. Certain equity securities the Company holds, such as investments in the stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco are carried at cost, less any previously recognized impairment. Investment in these securities is restricted to member banks and the securities are not actively traded on an exchange.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Investment Securities
Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) on Investment Securities. The ACL on investment securities is determined for both the held-to-maturity and available-for-sale classifications of the investment portfolio in accordance with ASC 326. The ACL for held-to-maturity investment securities is recorded at the time of purchase or acquisition, representing the Company’s best estimate of current expected credit losses (“CECL”) as of the date for the consolidated statements of financial condition. The ACL for held-to-maturity investment securities is determined on a collective basis, based on shared risk characteristics, and is determined at the individual security level when the Company deems a security to no longer possess shared risk characteristics. For investment securities where the Company has reason to believe the credit loss exposure is remote, such as those guaranteed by the U.S. government or other government enterprises, a zero credit loss assumption is applied. For available-for-sale investment securities, the Company performs a quarterly qualitative evaluation of securities in an unrealized loss position to determine if, for those investments in an unrealized loss position, the decline in fair value is credit related or non-credit related. In determining whether a security’s decline in fair value is credit related, the Company considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (i) the extent to which the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost; (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (iii) downgrades in credit ratings, (iv) payment structure of the security, (v) the ability of the issuer of the security to make scheduled principal and interest payments, and (vi) general market conditions which reflect prospects for the economy as a whole, including interest rates and sector credit spreads. If it is determined that the unrealized loss can be attributed to credit loss, the Company records the amount of credit loss through a charge to provision for credit losses in current period earnings. However, the amount of credit loss recorded in current period earnings is limited to the amount of the total unrealized loss on the security, which is measured as the amount by which the security’s fair value is below its amortized cost. If it is likely the Company will be required to sell the security in an unrealized loss position, the total amount of the loss is recognized in current period earnings. Unrealized losses deemed non-credit related are recorded, net of tax, through accumulated other comprehensive income.
    
The Company determines expected credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities through a discounted cash flow approach, using the security’s effective interest rate. However, as previously mentioned, the measurement of credit losses on available-for-sale securities only occurs when, through the Company’s qualitative assessment, it is determined all or a portion of the unrealized loss is deemed to be credit related. The Company’s discounted cash flow approach incorporates assumptions about the collectability of future cash flows. The amount of credit loss is measured as the amount by which the security’s amortized cost exceeds the present value of expected future cash flows. Credit losses on available-for-sale securities are measured on an individual basis. The Company does not measure credit losses on an investment’s accrued interest receivable, but rather promptly reverses from current period earnings the amount of accrued interest that is no longer deemed collectible. Accrued interest receivable for investment securities is included in accrued interest receivable balances in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans. The Company accounts for credit losses on loans in accordance with ASC 326, which requires the Company to record an estimate of expected lifetime credit losses for loans at the time of origination or acquisition. The ACL is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for current expected future credit losses in the portfolio as of the date of the consolidated statements of financial condition. Estimating expected credit losses requires management to use relevant forward-looking information, including the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts. The measurement of the ACL is performed by collectively evaluating loans with similar risk characteristics. The Company measures the ACL on commercial real estate loans and commercial loans using a discounted cash flow approach, and a historical loss rate methodology is used to determine the ACL on retail loans. The Company’s discounted cash flow methodology incorporates a probability of default and loss given default model, as well as expectations of future economic conditions, using reasonable and supportable forecasts. Together, the probability of default and loss given default model with the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts generate estimates for cash flows expected and not expected to be collected over the estimated life of a loan. Estimates of future expected cash flows ultimately reflect assumptions made concerning net credit losses over the life of a loan. The use of reasonable and supportable forecasts requires significant judgment, such as selecting forecast scenarios and related scenario-weighting, as well as determining the appropriate length of the forecast horizon. Management leverages economic projections from a reputable and independent third party to inform and provide its reasonable and supportable economic forecasts. Other internal and external indicators of economic forecasts may also be considered by management when developing the forecast metrics. The Company’s ACL model reverts to long-term average loss rates for purposes of estimating cash flows beyond a period deemed reasonable and supportable. The Company forecasts probability of default and loss given default based on economic forecast scenarios over a two-year time horizon before reverting to long-term average loss rates over a period of three years. The duration of the forecast horizon, the period over which forecasts revert to long-term averages, the economic forecasts that management utilizes, as well as additional internal and external indicators of economic forecasts that management considers, may change over time depending on the nature and composition of our loan portfolio. Changes in economic forecasts, in conjunction with changes in loan specific attributes, impact a loan’s probability of default and loss given default, which can drive changes in the determination of the ACL.

Expectations of future cash flows are discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. The resulting ACL term loans represents the amount by which the loan’s amortized cost exceeds the net present value of a loan’s discounted cash flows expected to be collected. The ACL for credit facilities is determined by discounting estimates for cash flows not expected to be collected. The ACL is recorded through a charge to provision for credit losses and is reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries on loans previously charged-off. It is the Company’s policy to charge-off loan balances at the time they have been deemed uncollectible. Please also see Note 7 - Allowance for Credit Losses, of these consolidated financial statements for additional discussion concerning the Company’s ACL methodology, including discussion concerning economic forecasts used in the determination of the ACL.

The Company’s ACL model also includes adjustments for qualitative factors, where appropriate. Since historical information (such as historical net losses and economic cycles) may not always, by itself, provide a sufficient basis for determining future expected credit losses, the Company periodically considers the need for qualitative adjustments to the ACL. Qualitative adjustments may be related to and include, but not limited to factors such as: (i) management’s assessment of economic forecasts used in the model and how those forecasts align with management’s overall evaluation of current and expected economic conditions, (ii) organization specific risks such as credit concentrations, collateral specific risks, regulatory risks, and external factors that may ultimately impact credit quality, (iii) potential model limitations such as limitations identified through back-testing, and other limitations associated with factors such as underwriting changes, acquisition of new portfolios and changes in portfolio segmentation, and (iv) management’s overall assessment of the adequacy of the ACL, including an assessment of model data inputs used to determine the ACL.
The Company has a credit portfolio review process designed to detect problem loans. Problem loans are typically those of a substandard or worse internal risk grade, and may consist of loans on nonaccrual status, troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), loans where the likelihood of foreclosure on underlying collateral has increased, collateral dependent loans and other loans where concern or doubt over the ultimate collectability of all contractual amounts due has become elevated. Such loans may, in the opinion of management, be deemed to no longer possess risk characteristics similar to other loans in the loan portfolio, and as such may require individual evaluation to determine an appropriate ACL for the loan. When a loan is individually evaluated, the Company typically measures the expected credit loss for the loan based on a discounted cash flow approach, unless the loan has been deemed collateral dependent. Collateral dependent loans are loans where the repayment of the loan is expected to come from the operation of and/or eventual liquidation of the underlying collateral. The ACL for collateral dependent loans is determined using estimates for the expected fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell.

Although management uses the best information available to derive estimates necessary to measure an appropriate level of ACL, future adjustments to the ACL may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory, and other conditions that may extend beyond the Company’s control. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ACL and credit review process. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the ACL based on judgments different from those of management.
The Company has segmented the loan portfolio according to loans that share similar attributes and risk characteristics. Each segment possesses varying degrees of risk based on, among other things, the type of loan, the type of collateral, and the sensitivity of the borrower or industry to changes in external factors such as economic conditions. These segment groupings are: investor loans secured by real estate, business loans secured by real estate, commercial loans, and retail loans. Within each segment grouping there are various classes of loans as disclosed below. The Company determines the ACL for loans based on this more detailed loan segmentation and classification.
Loans Held for Investment/Investor Loans Secured by Real Estate/Acquired Loans
Loans Held for Investment. Loans held for investment are loans the Company has the ability and intent to hold until their maturity. These loans are carried at amortized cost, including discounts and premiums on purchased and acquired loans, and net deferred loan origination fees and costs. Purchase discounts and premiums and net deferred loan origination fees and costs on loans are accreted or amortized as an adjustment of yield, using the interest method, over the expected lives of the loans. Income recognition of deferred loan fees, deferred loan costs, discounts and premiums is discontinued for loans that are placed on nonaccrual. Any remaining discounts, premiums, deferred loan fees or costs, and prepayment fees associated with loan payoffs prior to contractual maturity are included in loan interest income in the period of payoff. Loan commitment fees received to originate or purchase a loan are deferred and, if the commitment is exercised, recognized over the life of the loan using the interest method as an adjustment of yield or, if the commitment expires unexercised, recognized as income upon expiration of the commitment. 

The Company accrues interest on loans using the interest method and only if deemed collectible. Loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more based on the contractual terms of the loan or when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to collection of principal and or interest. When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is promptly reversed against current period interest income, and as such an ACL for accrued interest receivable is not established. Interest income generally is not recognized on nonaccrual loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied as a reduction to the loan principal balance. Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to all principal and interest.
Investor Loans Secured by Real Estate:

Commercial real estate non-owner-occupied - Commercial real estate (“CRE”) non-owner-occupied includes loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral, but where the borrower does not occupy the underlying property. The primary risks associated with these loans include the borrower’s inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral, significant increases in interest rates, changes in market rents, and vacancy of the underlying property, any of which may make the real estate loan unprofitable to the borrower. Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.

Multifamily - Multifamily loans are secured by multi-tenant (5 or more units) residential real properties. Payments on multifamily loans are dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, and repayment of these loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy.
Construction and land - We originate loans for the construction of one-to-four family and multifamily residences and CRE properties in our primary market area. We concentrate our origination efforts on single homes and infill multifamily and commercial projects in established neighborhoods where there is not abundant land available for development. Construction loans are considered to have higher risks due to construction completion and timing risk, and the ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, government regulation of real property, and the availability of long-term financing. Additionally, economic conditions may impact the Company’s ability to recover its investment in construction loans, as adverse economic conditions may negatively impact the real estate market, which could affect the borrower’s ability to complete and sell the project. Additionally, the fair value of the underlying collateral may fluctuate as market conditions change. We occasionally originate land loans located predominantly in California for the purpose of facilitating the ultimate construction of a home or commercial building. The primary risks include the borrower’s inability to pay and the inability of the Company to recover its investment due to a decline in the fair value of the underlying collateral.

Business Loans Secured by Real Estate:

Commercial real estate owner-occupied - CRE owner-occupied includes loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral and where the underlying property is occupied by the borrower, such as with a place of business. These loans are primarily underwritten based on the cash flows of the business and secondarily on the real estate. The primary risks associated with CRE owner-occupied loans include the borrower’s inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral, and significant increases in interest rates, which may make the real estate loan unprofitable to the borrower. Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.

Franchise secured by real estate - Franchise real estate secured loans are business loans secured by real property occupied by franchised restaurants, generally quick-service restaurants. These loans are primarily underwritten based on the cash flows of the business and secondarily on the real estate. Risks associated with these loans include material decreases in the value of real estate being held as collateral, and the borrower’s inability to pay as a result of increases in interest rates or decreases in cash flow from the underlying business.

Small Business Administration (“SBA”) - We are approved to originate loans under the SBA’s Preferred Lenders Program (“PLP”). The PLP lending status affords us a higher level of delegated credit autonomy, translating to a significantly shorter turnaround time from application to funding, which is critical to our marketing efforts. We originate loans nationwide under the SBA’s 7(a), SBAExpress, International Trade, and 504(a) loan programs, in conformity with SBA underwriting and documentation standards. SBA loans are similar to commercial business loans, but have additional credit enhancement provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, for up to 85% of the loan amount for loans up to $150,000 and 75% of the loan amount for loans of more than $150,000. However, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the credit enhancement provided by the SBA under the 7(a) program was temporarily increased to 90% through September 30, 2021. The Company originates SBA loans with the intent to sell the guaranteed portion into the secondary market on a quarterly basis. Certain loans classified as SBA are secured by commercial real estate property. SBA loans secured by hotels are included in the segment investor loans secured by real estate, and SBA loans secured by all other forms of real estate are included in the business loans secured by real estate segment. All other SBA loans are included in the commercial loans segment below, and are secured by business assets.
Commercial Loans:

Commercial and industrial (including franchise commercial loans) (“C&I”) - Loans to businesses, secured by business assets including inventory, receivables, and machinery and equipment. Loan types include revolving lines of credit, term loans, seasonal loans, and loans secured by liquid collateral such as cash deposits or marketable securities. Franchise credit facilities not secured by real estate and Home Owners’ Association (“HOA”) credit facilities are included in C&I loans. We also issue letters of credit on behalf of our customers. Risk arises primarily due to the difference between expected and actual cash flows of the borrowers. In addition, the recoverability of the Company’s investment in these loans is also dependent on other factors primarily dictated by the type of collateral securing these loans, and occasionally upon other borrower assets and guarantor assets. The fair value of the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate as market conditions change. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the recovery of the Company’s investment is dependent upon the borrower’s ability to collect amounts due from its customers.

Retail Loans:

One-to-four family - Although we do not originate first lien single family loans, we have acquired them through bank acquisitions. The primary risks of one-to-four family loans include the borrower’s inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral, and significant increases in interest rates, which may make loans unprofitable to the borrower.

Consumer loans - In addition to consumer loans acquired through our various bank acquisitions, we originate a limited number of consumer loans, generally to banking clients, which consist primarily of home equity lines of credit, savings account secured loans, and auto loans. Repayment of these loans is dependent on the borrower’s ability to pay and the fair value of the underlying collateral.
Acquired Loans. When the Company acquires loans through purchase or a business combination, an assessment is first performed to determine if such loans have experienced more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since their origination and thus should be classified and accounted for as purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans or otherwise classified as non-PCD loans. All acquired loans are recorded at their fair value as of the date of acquisition, with any resulting discount or premium accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the interest method. Additionally, upon the purchase or acquisition of non-PCD loans, the Company measures and records an ACL based on the Company’s methodology for determining the ACL. The ACL for non-PCD loans is recorded through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the period in which the loans were purchased or acquired.

Unlike non-PCD loans, the initial ACL for PCD loans is established through an adjustment to the acquired loan balance and not through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the period in which the loans were acquired. The ACL for PCD loans is determined with the use of the Company’s ACL methodology. Characteristics of PCD loans include: delinquency, downgrade in credit quality since origination, loans on nonaccrual status, and/or other factors the Company may become aware of through its initial analysis of acquired loans that may indicate there has been more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since a loan’s origination. Subsequent to acquisition, the ACL for both non-PCD and PCD loans are measured with the use of the Company’s ACL methodology in the same manner as all other loans.

In connection with the Opus acquisition on June 1, 2020, the Company acquired PCD loans with an aggregate fair value of approximately $841.2 million, and recorded an ACL of approximately $21.2 million, which was added to the amortized cost of the loans on the date of acquisition.
Troubled Debt Restructurings Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”). From time to time, the Company makes modifications to certain loans when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. These modifications are made to alleviate temporary impairments in the borrower’s financial condition and/or constraints on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, and to minimize potential losses to the Company. Modifications typically include: changes in the amortization terms of the loan, reductions in interest rates, acceptance of interest only payments, and, in limited cases, reductions to the outstanding loan balance. Such loans are typically placed on nonaccrual status and are returned to accrual status when all contractual amounts past due have been brought current, and the borrower’s performance under the modified terms of the loan agreement and the ultimate collectability of all contractual amounts due under the modified terms is no longer in doubt. The Company typically measures the ACL for TDRs on an individual basis when the loans are deemed to no longer share similar risk characteristics with other loans in the portfolio. The determination of the ACL for TDRs is based on a discounted cash flow approach for both those measured collectively and individually, unless the loan is deemed collateral dependent, which requires measurement of the ACL based on the estimated expected fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell.The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, permits financial institutions to suspend requirements under GAAP for loan modifications to borrowers affected by COVID-19 that would otherwise be characterized as TDRs and suspend any determination related thereto if (i) the loan modification is made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of December 31, 2020 or 60 days after the end of the coronavirus emergency declaration and (ii) the applicable loan was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The Consolidated Appropriations Act (“CAA”), signed into law on December 27, 2020, extends the applicable period to include modification to loans held by financial institutions executed between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) January 1, 2022, or (ii) 60 days after the date of termination of the COVID-19 national emergency. The Company has elected to apply this guidance to certain qualifying loan modifications. For such modifications, which are in the form of payment deferrals, the delinquency status will not advance, and loans that were accruing at the time that the relief was provided will generally not be placed on nonaccrual status during the deferral period. Interest income will continue to be recognized over the contractual life of the loan. However, the Company, through its credit portfolio management activities, continues to monitor facts and circumstances associated with the underlying credit quality of the loans modified under the provisions of the CARES Act in an effort to identify any loans where the accrual of interest during the modification period is no longer appropriate. In such cases, the Company ceases the accrual of interest and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is promptly reversed against the current period interest income.
Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”). Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are recorded at fair value, less cost to sell, with any excess of the loan’s amortized cost balance over the fair value of the property recorded as a charge against the ACL. The Company obtains an appraisal and/or market valuation on all other real estate owned at the time of possession. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management. Any subsequent declines in fair value are recorded as a charge to non-interest expense in current period earnings with a corresponding write-down to the asset. All legal fees and direct costs, including foreclosure and other related costs, are expensed as incurred.
Derivatives as Part of Designated Accounting Hedges
Derivatives as Part of Designated Accounting Hedges. The Company applies hedge accounting to certain derivative instruments used for risk management purposes, primarily interest rate risk. To qualify for hedge accounting, a derivative instrument must be highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the hedged exposure, and the hedging relationship must be formally documented at its inception. The Company uses regression analysis to assess the effectiveness of each hedging relationship, unless the hedge qualifies for other methods of assessing effectiveness (e.g., shortcut or critical terms match), both at inception and throughout the life of the hedge transaction.

The Company currently has derivative instruments designated as part of fair value hedges for accounting purposes. These derivatives consist of pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swaps, and were entered into to hedge changes in the fair value of fixed-rate assets for specific risks, such as interest rate risk resulting from changes in a benchmark interest rate. In a qualifying fair value hedge, the Company records periodic changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument in current period earnings. Simultaneously, periodic changes in the fair value of the hedged risk are also recorded in current period earnings. Together, these periodic changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and the fair value of the hedged risk are included in the same line item of the statements of income associated with the hedged item (i.e. interest income), and largely offset each other. Interest accruals on both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are also recorded in the same line item, which effectively converts the designated fixed-rate assets to floating-rate assets. The Company structures these swaps to match the critical terms of the hedged items (i.e. fixed-rate loans), thereby maximizing the economic and accounting effectiveness of the hedging relationships and resulting in the expectation that the hedging relationship will be highly effective. If a fair value hedging relationship ceases to qualify for hedge accounting, hedge accounting is discontinued and future changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recognized in current period earnings, until the derivative is settled with the counterparty. In addition, all remaining basis adjustments resulting from periodic changes in the fair value of the hedged risk, previously recorded to the carrying amount of the hedged item, are now amortized or accreted into interest income using the interest method over the remaining life of the hedged item.
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.
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 use 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.
    
Interest Rate Swaps – 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 swap 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 Company also enters into interest rate swap contracts with institutional counterparties to hedge against certain fixed-rate loans. 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. The Company incorporates credit value adjustments on derivatives to properly reflect the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements of its derivatives. The Company has determined that the observable nature of the majority of inputs used in deriving the fair value of these derivative contracts fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, and the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivative financial instruments. As a result, the valuation of interest rate swaps is classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Equity Warrant Assets – The Company acquired equity warrant assets as a result of acquisition of Opus. Opus received equity warrant assets through its lending activities as part of loan origination fees. The warrants provide the Bank the right to purchase a specific number of equity shares of the underlying company’s equity at a certain price before expiration and contain net settlement terms qualifying as derivatives under ASC Topic 815. The fair value of equity warrant assets is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and are classified as Level 3 with the fair value hierarchy due to the extent of unobservable inputs. The key assumptions used in determining the fair value include the exercise price of the warrants, valuation of the underlying entity's outstanding stock, expected term, risk-free interest rate, marketability discount for private company warrants, and price volatility.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Individually Evaluated Loans – A loan is individually evaluated for expected credit losses when it does not share similar risk characteristics with other loans. Individually evaluated loans are measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral or the discounted expected future cash flows. Collateral generally consists of accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, real estate, and cash. 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.

The fair value of individually evaluated loans were determined using Level 3 assumptions, and represents individually evaluated loan balances for which a specific reserve has been established or on which a write down has been taken. For real estate loans, 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 individually evaluated loans and other real estate owned to determine fair value. In determining the net realizable value of the underlying collateral for individually evaluated loans, the Company will then discount the valuation to cover both market price fluctuations and selling costs, typically ranging from 7% to 10% of the collateral value, that 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. For non-real estate loans, fair value of the loan’s collateral may be determined using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business.