10-Q 1 pfs-3312018x10q.htm 10-Q Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the transition period from              to
Commission File Number: 001-31566
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)  
Delaware
 
42-1547151
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
239 Washington Street, Jersey City, New Jersey
 
07302
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(732) 590-9200
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  ý    NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  ý    NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer
 
ý
  
Accelerated Filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-Accelerated Filer
 
¨
  
Smaller Reporting Company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging Growth Company
 
¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  ý
As of May 1, 2018 there were 83,209,293 shares issued and 67,011,777 shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, including 276,857 shares held by the First Savings Bank Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan not otherwise considered outstanding under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.




PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
Item Number
Page Number
 
 
 
 
1.
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2018 (unaudited) and December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.
 
 
 
3.
 
 
 
4.
 
 
 
 
1.
 
 
 
1A.
 
 
 
2.
 
 
 
3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
 
 
4.
 
 
 
5.
 
 
 
6.
 
 

2



PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
March 31, 2018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2017
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
82,445

 
$
139,557

Short-term investments
 
51,069

 
51,277

Total cash and cash equivalents
 
133,514

 
190,834

Available for sale debt securities, at fair value
 
1,039,304

 
1,037,154

Held to maturity debt securities (fair value of $465,787 at March 31, 2018 (unaudited)
and $485,039 at December 31, 2017)
 
466,945

 
477,652

Equity securities, at fair value
 
655

 
658

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
74,597

 
81,184

Loans
 
7,291,138

 
7,325,718

Less allowance for loan losses
 
62,521

 
60,195

Net loans
 
7,228,617

 
7,265,523

Foreclosed assets, net
 
7,252

 
6,864

Banking premises and equipment, net
 
61,659

 
63,185

Accrued interest receivable
 
28,722

 
29,646

Intangible assets
 
419,721

 
420,290

Bank-owned life insurance
 
190,789

 
189,525

Other assets
 
82,467

 
82,759

Total assets
 
$
9,734,242

 
$
9,845,274

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
 
$
4,990,874

 
$
4,996,345

Savings deposits
 
1,100,435

 
1,083,012

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more
 
340,041

 
316,074

Other time deposits
 
325,233

 
318,735

Total deposits
 
6,756,583

 
6,714,166

Mortgage escrow deposits
 
26,994

 
25,933

Borrowed funds
 
1,590,088

 
1,742,514

Other liabilities
 
55,691

 
64,000

Total liabilities
 
8,429,356

 
8,546,613

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 83,209,293 shares issued and
66,729,095 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018 and 66,535,017 outstanding at December 31, 2017
 
832

 
832

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,014,468

 
1,012,908

Retained earnings
 
600,591

 
586,132

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(16,696
)
 
(7,465
)
Treasury stock
 
(261,175
)
 
(259,907
)
Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan
 
(33,134
)
 
(33,839
)
Common stock acquired by the Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan
 
(5,008
)
 
(5,175
)
Deferred compensation – Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan
 
5,008

 
5,175

Total stockholders’ equity
 
1,304,886

 
1,298,661

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
9,734,242

 
$
9,845,274

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3



PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate secured loans
 
$
51,510

 
$
46,011

 
Commercial loans
 
19,126

 
16,820

 
Consumer loans
 
4,905

 
5,014

 
Available for sale debt securities, equity securities and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
 
7,251

 
6,563

 
Held to maturity debt securities
 
3,144

 
3,248

 
Deposits, Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
 
395

 
257

 
Total interest income
 
86,331

 
77,913

 
Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
6,235

 
4,452

 
Borrowed funds
 
6,819

 
6,426

 
Total interest expense
 
13,054

 
10,878

 
Net interest income
 
73,277

 
67,035

 
Provision for loan losses
 
5,400

 
1,500

 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
67,877

 
65,535

 
Non-interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Fees
 
6,639

 
6,005

 
Wealth management income
 
4,400

 
4,213

 
Bank-owned life insurance
 
1,264

 
1,389

 
Net gain on securities transactions
 
1

 

 
Other income
 
1,003

 
858

 
Total non-interest income
 
13,307

 
12,465

 
Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
 
27,869

 
26,848

 
Net occupancy expense
 
6,745

 
6,955

 
Data processing expense
 
3,606

 
3,457

 
FDIC insurance
 
1,053

 
1,099

 
Amortization of intangibles
 
570

 
752

 
Advertising and promotion expense
 
967

 
857

 
Other operating expenses
 
6,100

 
6,156

 
Total non-interest expense
 
46,910

 
46,124

 
Income before income tax expense
 
34,274

 
31,876

 
Income tax expense
 
6,361

 
8,368

 
Net income
 
$
27,913

 
$
23,508

 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.43

 
$
0.37

 
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
 
64,768,977

 
64,167,376

 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.43

 
$
0.37

 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
 
64,949,442

 
64,369,605

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4



PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Net income
 
$
27,913

 
$
23,508

 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period
 
(9,639
)
 
771

 
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income
 

 

 
Total
 
(9,639
)
 
771

 
Unrealized gains on derivatives
 
530

 
55

 
Amortization related to post-retirement obligations
 
62

 
32

 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(9,047
)
 
858

 
Total comprehensive income
 
$
18,866

 
$
24,366

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


5



PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
COMMON
STOCK
 
ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
 
RETAINED
EARNINGS
 
ACCUMULATED
OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE
(LOSS) INCOME
 
TREASURY
STOCK
 
UNALLOCATED
ESOP
SHARES
 
COMMON
STOCK
ACQUIRED
BY DDFP
 
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION
DDFP
 
TOTAL
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
832

 
$
1,005,777

 
$
550,768

 
$
(3,397
)
 
$
(264,221
)
 
$
(37,978
)
 
$
(5,846
)
 
$
5,846

 
$
1,251,781

Net income
 

 

 
23,508

 

 

 

 

 

 
23,508

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 
858

 

 

 

 

 
858

Cash dividends declared
 

 

 
(12,629
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(12,629
)
Distributions from DDFP
 

 
57

 

 

 

 

 
167

 
(167
)
 
57

Purchases of treasury stock
 

 

 

 

 
(443
)
 

 

 

 
(443
)
Purchase of employee restricted shares to fund statutory tax withholding
 

 

 

 

 
(703
)
 

 

 

 
(703
)
Shares issued dividend reinvestment plan
 

 
168

 

 

 
307

 

 

 

 
475

Stock option exercises
 

 
(1,015
)
 

 

 
3,523

 

 

 

 
2,508

Allocation of ESOP shares
 

 
390

 

 

 

 
705

 

 

 
1,095

Allocation of SAP shares
 

 
541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
541

Allocation of stock options
 

 
44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
44

Balance at March 31, 2017
 
$
832

 
$
1,005,962

 
$
561,647

 
$
(2,539
)
 
$
(261,537
)
 
$
(37,273
)
 
$
(5,679
)
 
$
5,679

 
$
1,267,092

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

6





PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
COMMON
STOCK
 
ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
 
RETAINED
EARNINGS
 
ACCUMULATED
OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE
LOSS
 
TREASURY
STOCK
 
UNALLOCATED
ESOP
SHARES
 
COMMON
STOCK
ACQUIRED
BY DDFP
 
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION
DDFP
 
TOTAL
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
832

 
$
1,012,908

 
$
586,132

 
$
(7,465
)
 
$
(259,907
)
 
$
(33,839
)
 
$
(5,175
)
 
$
5,175

 
$
1,298,661

Net income
 

 

 
27,913

 

 

 

 

 

 
27,913

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 

 

 

 
(9,047
)
 

 

 

 

 
(9,047
)
Cash dividends declared
 

 

 
(13,638
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(13,638
)
Reclassification of unrealized gains on equity securities due to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01
 

 

 
184

 
(184
)
 

 

 

 

 

Distributions from DDFP
 

 
40

 

 

 

 

 
167

 
(167
)
 
40

Purchase of employee restricted shares to fund statutory tax withholding
 

 


 

 

 
(1,792
)
 

 

 

 
(1,792
)
Shares issued dividend reinvestment plan
 

 
135

 

 

 
284

 

 

 

 
419

Stock option exercises
 

 
(65
)
 

 

 
240

 

 

 

 
175

Allocation of ESOP shares
 

 
380

 

 

 

 
705

 

 

 
1,085

Allocation of SAP shares
 

 
1,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,025

Allocation of stock options
 

 
45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
45

Balance at March 31, 2018
 
$
832

 
$
1,014,468

 
$
600,591

 
$
(16,696
)
 
$
(261,175
)
 
$
(33,134
)
 
$
(5,008
)
 
$
5,008

 
$
1,304,886

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


7



PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
27,913

 
$
23,508

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles
 
2,598

 
3,024

Provision for loan losses
 
5,400

 
1,500

Deferred tax expense
 
2,015

 
2,632

Income on Bank-owned life insurance
 
(1,264
)
 
(1,389
)
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on securities
 
2,279

 
2,450

Accretion of net deferred loan fees
 
(1,286
)
 
(1,146
)
Amortization of premiums on purchased loans, net
 
200

 
219

Net increase in loans originated for sale
 
(4,117
)
 
(990
)
Proceeds from sales of loans originated for sale
 
4,528

 
89

Proceeds from sales and paydowns of foreclosed assets
 
466

 
2,167

ESOP expense
 
1,085

 
1,095

Allocation of stock award shares
 
1,025

 
541

Allocation of stock options
 
45

 
44

Net gain on sale of loans
 
(411
)
 
(89
)
Net gain on securities transactions
 
(1
)
 

Net gain on sale of foreclosed assets
 
(181
)
 
(288
)
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
 
(924
)
 
413

Decrease in other assets
 
1,146

 
2,620

Decrease in other liabilities
 
(8,309
)
 
(12,007
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
32,207

 
24,393

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of held to maturity debt securities
 
21,934

 
15,668

Purchases of held to maturity debt securities
 
(11,881
)
 
(17,297
)
Proceeds from maturities and paydowns of available for sale debt securities
 
55,279

 
48,819

Purchases of available for sale debt securities
 
(72,154
)
 
(57,015
)
Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
39,929

 
32,311

Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
(33,342
)
 
(33,221
)
Net decrease in loans
 
34,994

 
5,626

Purchases of premises and equipment
 
(502
)
 
(589
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
34,257

 
(5,698
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
 
42,417

 
(23,759
)
Increase in mortgage escrow deposits
 
1,061

 
1,839

Cash dividends paid to stockholders
 
(13,638
)
 
(12,629
)
Shares issued through the dividend reinvestment plan
 
419

 
475

Purchases of treasury stock
 

 
(443
)
Purchase of employee restricted shares to fund statutory tax withholding
 
(1,792
)
 
(703
)
Stock options exercised
 
175

 
2,508

Proceeds from long-term borrowings
 
265,000

 
70,420

Payments on long-term borrowings
 
(135,810
)
 
(91,009
)

8



 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings
 
(281,616
)
 
48,403

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(123,784
)
 
(4,898
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(57,320
)
 
13,797

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
190,834

 
144,297

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
133,514

 
$
158,094

Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits and borrowings
 
$
12,972

 
$
10,944

Income taxes
 
$
3,619

 
$
105

Non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Transfer of loans receivable to foreclosed assets
 
$
673

 
$
1,708

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

9



PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A. Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Provident Financial Services, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Bank (the “Bank,” together with Provident Financial Services, Inc., the “Company”).
In preparing the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated statements of financial condition and the consolidated statements of income for the periods presented. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The allowance for loan losses, the valuation of securities available for sale and the valuation of deferred tax assets are material estimates that are particularly susceptible to near-term change.
The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for all of 2018.
Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements to conform with current year classifications.
These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
B. Earnings Per Share
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
Net
Income
 
Weighted
Average
Common
Shares
Outstanding
 
Per
Share
Amount
 
Net
Income
 
Weighted
Average
Common
Shares
Outstanding
 
Per
Share
Amount
 
Net income
 
$
27,913

 
 
 
 
 
$
23,508

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income available to common stockholders
 
$
27,913

 
64,768,977

 
$
0.43

 
$
23,508

 
64,167,376

 
$
0.37

 
Dilutive shares
 
 
 
180,465

 
 
 
 
 
202,229

 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income available to common stockholders
 
$
27,913

 
64,949,442

 
$
0.43

 
$
23,508

 
64,369,605

 
$
0.37

 
Anti-dilutive stock options and awards at March 31, 2018 and 2017, totaling 484,613 shares and 427,040 shares, respectively, were excluded from the earnings per share calculations.
Note 2. Investment Securities
At March 31, 2018, the Company had $1.04 billion and $466.9 million in available for sale debt securities and held to maturity debt securities, respectively. Many factors, including lack of liquidity in the secondary market for certain securities, variations in pricing information, regulatory actions, changes in the business environment or any changes in the competitive marketplace could have an adverse effect on the Company’s investment portfolio which could result in other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") in future periods. The total number of available for sale and held to maturity debt securities in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2018 totaled 580, compared with 306 at December 31, 2017. All securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2018

10



were analyzed for OTTI. Based upon this analysis, the Company believes that as of March 31, 2018, such securities with unrealized losses do not represent impairments that are other-than-temporary.
Available for Sale Debt Securities
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and the fair value for available for sale debt securities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 

March 31, 2018
 

Amortized
cost

Gross
unrealized
gains

Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Agency obligations

$
7,007




(8
)
 
6,999

Mortgage-backed securities

1,021,819


2,372


(20,588
)
 
1,003,603

State and municipal obligations

3,249


81



 
3,330

Corporate obligations
 
25,044

 
377

 
(49
)
 
25,372

 

$
1,057,119


2,830


(20,645
)
 
1,039,304

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized
cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Agency obligations
 
$
19,014

 

 
(9
)
 
19,005

Mortgage-backed securities
 
993,548

 
4,914

 
(10,095
)
 
988,367

State and municipal obligations
 
3,259

 
129

 

 
3,388

Corporate obligations
 
26,047

 
359

 
(12
)
 
26,394

 
 
$
1,041,868

 
5,402

 
(10,116
)
 
1,037,154

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale debt securities at March 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to prepayment or early call privileges of the issuer.
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
Amortized
cost
 
Fair
value
Due in one year or less
 
$
7,397

 
7,392

Due after one year through five years
 
3,008

 
2,979

Due after five years through ten years
 
24,895

 
25,330

Due after ten years
 

 

 
 
$
35,300

 
35,701

Mortgage-backed securities totaling $1.02 billion at amortized cost and $1.00 billion at fair value are excluded from the table above as their expected lives are likely to be shorter than the contractual maturity date due to principal prepayments.
For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, no securities were sold or called from the available for sale debt securities portfolio.


11



The following tables present the fair value and gross unrealized losses for available for sale debt securities with temporary impairment at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 

March 31, 2018 Unrealized Losses
 

Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 

Fair 
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
Agency obligations

$
5,000

 
(7
)
 
1,999

 
(1
)
 
6,999

 
(8
)
Mortgage-backed securities

646,962

 
(11,513
)
 
227,119

 
(9,075
)
 
874,081

 
(20,588
)
Corporate obligations
 
7,959

 
(49
)
 

 

 
7,959

 
(49
)


$
659,921

 
(11,569
)
 
229,118

 
(9,076
)
 
889,039

 
(20,645
)
 

December 31, 2017 Unrealized Losses
 

Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 

Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
Agency obligations
 
$
12,006

 
(8
)
 
6,999

 
(1
)
 
19,005

 
(9
)
Mortgage-backed securities
 
420,746

 
(3,936
)
 
235,056

 
(6,159
)
 
655,802

 
(10,095
)
Corporate obligations
 

 

 
989

 
(12
)
 
989

 
(12
)


$
432,752

 
(3,944
)
 
243,044

 
(6,172
)
 
675,796

 
(10,116
)
The number of available for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2018 totaled 177, compared with 122 at December 31, 2017. The increase in the number of securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2018, was due to higher market interest rates from December 31, 2017. All temporarily impaired investment securities were investment grade at March 31, 2018. At March 31, 2018, there was one private label mortgage-backed security in an unrealized loss position, with an amortized cost of $32,000 and an unrealized loss of $384. This private label mortgage-backed security was investment grade at March 31, 2018.
The Company estimates the loss projections for each non-agency mortgage-backed security by stressing the individual loans collateralizing the security and applying a range of expected default rates, loss severities, and prepayment speeds in conjunction with the underlying credit enhancement for each security. Based on specific assumptions about collateral and vintage, a range of possible cash flows was identified to determine whether other-than-temporary impairment existed during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Based on its detailed review of the available for sale debt securities portfolio, the Company believes that as of March 31, 2018, securities with unrealized loss positions shown above do not represent impairments that are other-than-temporary. The Company does not have the intent to sell securities in a temporary loss position at March 31, 2018, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before the anticipated recovery.
Held to Maturity Debt Securities
The following tables present the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and the estimated fair value for held to maturity debt securities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
Amortized
cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Agency obligations

$
4,616

 

 
(127
)
 
4,489

Mortgage-backed securities

311

 
11

 

 
322

State and municipal obligations

452,031

 
4,529

 
(5,383
)
 
451,177

Corporate obligations

9,987

 
1

 
(189
)
 
9,799

 

$
466,945

 
4,541

 
$
(5,699
)
 
465,787


12



 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized
cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Agency obligations
 
$
4,308

 

 
(87
)
 
4,221

Mortgage-backed securities
 
382

 
14

 

 
396

State and municipal obligations
 
462,942

 
9,280

 
(1,738
)
 
470,484

Corporate obligations
 
10,020

 
1

 
(83
)
 
9,938

 
 
$
477,652

 
9,295

 
(1,908
)
 
485,039

The Company generally purchases securities for long-term investment purposes, and differences between amortized cost and fair values may fluctuate during the investment period. There were no sales of securities from the held to maturity debt securities portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, proceeds from calls on securities from the held to maturity debt securities portfolio totaled $20.3 million with gross gains of $1,000 and no gross losses recognized. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, proceeds from calls on securities from the held to maturity debt securities portfolio totaled $12.8 million with no gross gains and no gross losses recognized.
The amortized cost and fair value of held to maturity debt securities at March 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to prepayment or early call privileges of the issuer.
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
Amortized
cost
 
Fair
value
Due in one year or less

$
7,452

 
7,488

Due after one year through five years

71,292

 
71,458

Due after five years through ten years

255,234

 
254,865

Due after ten years

132,656

 
131,654



$
466,634

 
465,465

Mortgage-backed securities totaling $311,000 at amortized cost and $322,000 at fair value are excluded from the table above as their expected lives are likely to be shorter than the contractual maturity date due to principal prepayments.
The following tables present the fair value and gross unrealized losses on securities in the held to maturity debt securities portfolio with temporary impairment at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018 Unrealized Losses
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
Agency obligations

$
4,489

 
(127
)
 

 

 
4,489

 
(127
)
State and municipal obligations

167,074

 
(2,650
)
 
47,558

 
(2,733
)
 
214,632

 
(5,383
)
Corporate obligations

9,523

 
(189
)
 

 

 
9,523

 
(189
)
 

$
181,086

 
(2,966
)
 
47,558

 
(2,733
)
 
228,644

 
(5,699
)
 
 
December 31, 2017 Unrealized Losses
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
Agency obligations
 
$
3,821

 
(87
)
 

 

 
3,821

 
(87
)
State and municipal obligations
 
37,317

 
(295
)
 
49,488

 
(1,443
)
 
86,805

 
(1,738
)
Corporate obligations
 
9,662

 
(83
)
 

 


 
9,662

 
(83
)
 
 
$
50,800

 
(465
)
 
49,488

 
(1,443
)
 
100,288

 
(1,908
)
The Company estimates the loss projections for each non-agency mortgage-backed security by stressing the individual loans collateralizing the security and applying a range of expected default rates, loss severities, and prepayment speeds in conjunction

13



with the underlying credit enhancement for each security. Based on specific assumptions about collateral and vintage, a range of possible cash flows was identified to determine whether other-than-temporary impairment existed during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Based on its detailed review of the held to maturity debt securities portfolio, the Company believes that as of March 31, 2018, securities with unrealized loss positions shown above do not represent impairments that are other-than-temporary. The Company does not have the intent to sell securities in a temporary loss position at March 31, 2018, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before the anticipated recovery.
The number of held to maturity debt securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2018 totaled 403, compared with 184 at December 31, 2017. The increase in the number of securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2018, was due to higher market interest rates from December 31, 2017. All temporarily impaired investment securities were investment grade at March 31, 2018.

14



Note 3. Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses
Loans receivable at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
1,127,744

 
1,142,347

Commercial
 
2,185,107

 
2,171,056

Multi-family
 
1,423,834

 
1,403,885

Construction
 
370,999

 
392,580

Total mortgage loans
 
5,107,684

 
5,109,868

Commercial loans
 
1,725,780

 
1,745,138

Consumer loans
 
460,741

 
473,957

Total gross loans
 
7,294,205

 
7,328,963

Purchased credit-impaired ("PCI") loans
 
946

 
969

Premiums on purchased loans
 
3,848

 
4,029

Unearned discounts
 
(35
)
 
(36
)
Net deferred fees
 
(7,826
)
 
(8,207
)
Total loans
 
$
7,291,138

 
7,325,718

The following tables summarize the aging of loans receivable by portfolio segment and class of loans, excluding PCI loans (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
30-59
Days
 
60-89
Days
 
Non-accrual
 
Recorded
Investment
> 90 days
accruing
 
Total Past
Due
 
Current
 
Total Loans
Receivable
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
5,711

 
6,694

 
8,343

 

 
20,748

 
1,106,996

 
1,127,744

Commercial
 
967

 
949

 
4,265

 

 
6,181

 
2,178,926

 
2,185,107

Multi-family
 

 

 

 

 

 
1,423,834

 
1,423,834

Construction
 

 

 

 

 

 
370,999

 
370,999

Total mortgage loans
 
6,678

 
7,643

 
12,608

 

 
26,929

 
5,080,755

 
5,107,684

Commercial loans
 
3,787

 
250

 
31,359

 

 
35,396

 
1,690,384

 
1,725,780

Consumer loans
 
2,208

 
647

 
1,971

 

 
4,826

 
455,915

 
460,741

Total gross loans
 
$
12,673

 
8,540

 
45,938

 

 
67,151

 
7,227,054

 
7,294,205

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
30-59
Days
 
60-89
Days
 
Non-accrual
 
Recorded
Investment
> 90 days
accruing
 
Total Past
Due
 
Current
 
Total Loans
Receivable
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
7,809

 
4,325

 
8,105

 

 
20,239

 
1,122,108

 
1,142,347

Commercial
 
1,486

 

 
7,090

 

 
8,576

 
2,162,480

 
2,171,056

Multi-family
 

 

 

 

 

 
1,403,885

 
1,403,885

Construction
 

 

 

 

 

 
392,580

 
392,580

Total mortgage loans
 
9,295

 
4,325

 
15,195

 

 
28,815

 
5,081,053

 
5,109,868

Commercial loans
 
551

 
406

 
17,243

 

 
18,200

 
1,726,938

 
1,745,138

Consumer loans
 
2,465

 
487

 
2,491

 

 
5,443

 
468,514

 
473,957

Total gross loans
 
$
12,311

 
5,218

 
34,929

 

 
52,458

 
7,276,505

 
7,328,963


15



Included in loans receivable are loans for which the accrual of interest income has been discontinued due to deterioration in the financial condition of the borrowers. The principal amounts of these non-accrual loans were $45.9 million and $34.9 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Included in non-accrual loans were $24.8 million and $11.5 million of loans which were less than 90 days past due at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. There were no loans 90 days or greater past due and still accruing interest at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.
The Company defines an impaired loan as a non-homogeneous loan greater than $1.0 million for which it is probable, based on current information, all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. Impaired loans also include all loans modified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). A loan is deemed to be a TDR when a loan modification resulting in a concession is made in an effort to mitigate potential loss arising from a borrower’s financial difficulty. Smaller balance homogeneous loans, including residential mortgages and other consumer loans, are evaluated collectively for impairment and are excluded from the definition of impaired loans, unless modified as TDRs. The Company separately calculates the reserve for loan losses on impaired loans. The Company may recognize impairment of a loan based upon: (1) the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate; (2) if a loan is collateral dependent, the fair value of collateral; or (3) the fair value of the loan. Additionally, if impaired loans have risk characteristics in common, those loans may be aggregated and historical statistics may be used as a means of measuring those impaired loans.
The Company uses third-party appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral in its analysis of collateral dependent impaired loans. A third-party appraisal is generally ordered as soon as a loan is designated as a collateral dependent impaired loan and is generally updated annually or more frequently, if required.
A specific allocation of the allowance for loan losses is established for each collateral dependent impaired loan with a carrying balance greater than the collateral’s fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Charge-offs are generally taken for the amount of the specific allocation when operations associated with the respective property cease and it is determined that collection of amounts due will be derived primarily from the disposition of the collateral. At each quarter end, if a loan is designated as a collateral dependent impaired loan and the third-party appraisal has not yet been received, an evaluation of all available collateral is made using the best information available at the time, including rent rolls, borrower financial statements and tax returns, prior appraisals, management’s knowledge of the market and collateral, and internally prepared collateral valuations based upon market assumptions regarding vacancy and capitalization rates, each as and where applicable. Once the appraisal is received and reviewed, the specific reserves are adjusted to reflect the appraised value. The Company believes there have been no significant time lapses in the recognition of changes in collateral values as a result of this process.
At March 31, 2018, there were 150 impaired loans totaling $68.3 million. Included in this total were 127 TDRs related to 123 borrowers totaling $37.4 million that were performing in accordance with their restructured terms and which continued to accrue interest at March 31, 2018. At December 31, 2017, there were 149 impaired loans totaling $52.0 million. Included in this total were 125 TDRs to 121 borrowers totaling $31.7 million that were performing in accordance with their restructured terms and which continued to accrue interest at December 31, 2017.
The following table summarizes loans receivable by portfolio segment and impairment method, excluding PCI loans (in thousands):
 

March 31, 2018
 

Mortgage
loans

Commercial
loans

Consumer
loans

Total Portfolio
Segments
Individually evaluated for impairment

$
24,927

 
41,028

 
2,316

 
68,271

Collectively evaluated for impairment

5,082,757

 
1,684,752

 
458,425

 
7,225,934

Total gross loans

$
5,107,684

 
1,725,780

 
460,741

 
7,294,205

 

December 31, 2017
 

Mortgage
loans

Commercial
loans

Consumer
loans

Total Portfolio
Segments
Individually evaluated for impairment

$
28,459

 
21,223

 
2,359

 
52,041

Collectively evaluated for impairment

5,081,409

 
1,723,915

 
471,598

 
7,276,922

Total gross loans

$
5,109,868

 
1,745,138

 
473,957

 
7,328,963


16



The allowance for loan losses is summarized by portfolio segment and impairment classification as follows (in thousands):
 

March 31, 2018
 

Mortgage
loans

Commercial
loans

Consumer
loans

Total
Individually evaluated for impairment

$
1,327

 
3,152

 
69

 
4,548

Collectively evaluated for impairment

26,674

 
29,174

 
2,125

 
57,973

Total gross loans

$
28,001

 
32,326

 
2,194

 
62,521

 

December 31, 2017
 

Mortgage
loans

Commercial
loans

Consumer
loans

Total
Individually evaluated for impairment

$
1,486

 
1,134

 
70

 
2,690

Collectively evaluated for impairment

26,566

 
28,680

 
2,259

 
57,505

Total gross loans

$
28,052

 
29,814

 
2,329

 
60,195

Loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties that are considered TDRs primarily involve lowering the monthly payments on such loans through either a reduction in interest rate below a market rate, an extension of the term of the loan without a corresponding adjustment to the risk premium reflected in the interest rate, or a combination of these two methods. These modifications generally do not result in the forgiveness of principal or accrued interest. In addition, the Company attempts to obtain additional collateral or guarantor support when modifying such loans. If the borrower has demonstrated performance under the previous terms and our underwriting process shows the borrower has the capacity to continue to perform under the restructured terms, the loan will continue to accrue interest. Non-accruing restructured loans may be returned to accrual status when there has been a sustained period of repayment performance (generally six consecutive months of payments) and both principal and interest are deemed collectible.
The following table presents the number of loans modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, along with their balances immediately prior to the modification date and post-modification as of March 31, 2018 and 2017.
 

For the three months ended
 

March 31, 2018

March 31, 2017
Troubled Debt Restructurings

Number  of
Loans

Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded 
Investment

Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded  Investment

Number  of
Loans

Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded  Investment

Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded  Investment
 

($ in thousands)
Mortgage loans:












Residential


 
$

 
$

 
3

 
$
1,002

 
$
988

Total mortgage loans


 

 

 
3

 
1,002

 
988

Commercial loans

5

 
8,127

 
6,626

 
1

 
292

 
284

Consumer loans


 

 

 
2

 
240

 
234

Total restructured loans

5

 
$
8,127

 
$
6,626

 
6

 
$
1,534

 
$
1,506

All TDRs are impaired loans, which are individually evaluated for impairment, as previously discussed. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, $3.0 million of charge-offs were recorded on collateral dependent impaired loans. There were no charge-offs recorded on collateral dependent impaired loans for the same period last year. The allowance for loan losses associated with the TDRs presented in the preceding table totaled $411,000 and $158,000 at March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and were included in the allowance for loan losses for loans individually evaluated for impairment.
The TDRs presented in the preceding table had a weighted average modified interest rate of approximately 5.66% and 3.30%, respectively, compared to a weighted average rate of 5.17% and 3.61% prior to modification for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

17



The following table presents loans modified as TDRs within the previous 12 months from March 31, 2018 and 2017, and for which there was a payment default (90 days or more past due) at the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. TDRs that subsequently default are considered collateral dependent impaired loans and are evaluated for impairment based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral less expected selling costs.
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
Troubled Debt Restructurings - Subsequent Default
 
Number of
Loans
 
Outstanding
Recorded  Investment
 
Number of
Loans
 
Outstanding
Recorded  Investment
 
 
($ in thousands)
Commercial loans
 
3

 
$
428

 
1

 
$
284

Total restructured loans
 
3

 
$
428

 
1

 
$
284

PCI loans are loans acquired at a discount primarily due to deteriorated credit quality. These loans are accounted for at fair value, based upon the present value of expected future cash flows, with no related allowance for loan losses. PCI loans totaled $946,000 at March 31, 2018 and $1.0 million at December 31, 2017.
The following table summarizes the changes in the accretable yield for PCI loans during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Beginning balance
 
$
101

 
200

Accretion
 
(20
)
 
(49
)
Reclassification from non-accretable discount
 
31

 
21

Ending balance
 
$
112

 
172

The activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended March 31,

Mortgage
loans

Commercial
loans

Consumer
loans

Total
2018








Balance at beginning of period

$
28,052

 
29,814

 
2,329

 
60,195

Provision charged (credited) to operations

(22
)
 
5,390

 
32

 
5,400

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off

88

 
127

 
180

 
395

Loans charged-off

(117
)
 
(3,005
)
 
(347
)
 
(3,469
)
Balance at end of period

$
28,001

 
32,326

 
2,194

 
62,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017








Balance at beginning of period

$
29,626

 
29,143

 
3,114

 
61,883

Provision charged (credited) to operations

(130
)
 
1,616

 
14

 
1,500

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off

53

 
458

 
176

 
687

Loans charged-off

(231
)
 
(1,431
)
 
(253
)
 
(1,915
)
Balance at end of period

$
29,318

 
29,786

 
3,051

 
62,155


18



The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class and loan category, excluding PCI loans (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
Loans with no related allowance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
13,519

 
10,701

 

 
10,733

 
135

 
13,239

 
10,477

 

 
10,552

 
479

Commercial
 
1,550

 
1,546

 

 
1,546

 

 
5,037

 
4,908

 

 
5,022

 
12

Total
 
15,069

 
12,247

 

 
12,279

 
135

 
18,276

 
15,385

 

 
15,574

 
491

Commercial loans
 
21,552

 
17,277

 

 
17,467

 
109

 
19,196

 
14,984

 

 
15,428

 
395

Consumer loans
 
1,559

 
1,016

 

 
1,040

 
18

 
1,582

 
1,041

 

 
1,150

 
69

Total impaired loans
 
$
38,180

 
30,540

 

 
30,786

 
262

 
39,054

 
31,410

 

 
32,152

 
955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans with an allowance recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
12,642

 
11,622

 
1,199

 
11,673

 
120

 
13,052

 
12,010

 
1,351

 
12,150

 
475

Commercial
 
1,058

 
1,058

 
128

 
1,073

 
13

 
1,064

 
1,064

 
135

 
1,076

 
54

Total
 
13,700

 
12,680

 
1,327

 
12,746

 
133

 
14,116

 
13,074

 
1,486

 
13,226

 
529

Commercial loans
 
26,236

 
23,751

 
3,152

 
26,022

 
89

 
7,097

 
6,239

 
1,134

 
7,318

 
208

Consumer loans
 
1,311

 
1,300

 
69

 
1,323

 
15

 
1,329

 
1,318

 
70

 
1,349

 
64

Total impaired loans
 
$
41,247

 
37,731

 
4,548

 
40,091

 
237

 
22,542

 
20,631

 
2,690

 
21,893

 
801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total impaired loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
26,161

 
22,323

 
1,199

 
22,406

 
255

 
26,291

 
22,487

 
1,351

 
22,702

 
954

Commercial
 
2,608

 
2,604

 
128

 
2,619

 
13

 
6,101

 
5,972

 
135

 
6,098

 
66

Total
 
28,769

 
24,927

 
1,327

 
25,025

 
268

 
32,392

 
28,459

 
1,486

 
28,800

 
1,020

Commercial loans
 
47,788

 
41,028

 
3,152

 
43,489

 
198

 
26,293

 
21,223

 
1,134

 
22,746

 
603

Consumer loans
 
2,870

 
2,316

 
69

 
2,363

 
33

 
2,911

 
2,359

 
70

 
2,499

 
133

Total impaired loans
 
$
79,427

 
68,271

 
4,548

 
70,877

 
499

 
61,596

 
52,041

 
2,690

 
54,045

 
1,756

Specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses attributable to impaired loans totaled $4.5 million at March 31, 2018 and $2.7 million at December 31, 2017. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, impaired loans for which there was no related allowance for loan losses totaled $30.5 million and $31.4 million, respectively. The average balance of impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $70.9 million and $54.0 million, respectively.
The Company utilizes an internal nine-point risk rating system to summarize its loan portfolio into categories with similar risk characteristics. Loans deemed to be “acceptable quality” are rated 1 through 4, with a rating of 1 established for loans with minimal risk. Loans that are deemed to be of “questionable quality” are rated 5 (watch) or 6 (special mention). Loans with adverse classifications (substandard, doubtful or loss) are rated 7, 8 or 9, respectively. Commercial mortgage, commercial, multi-family and construction loans are rated individually, and each lending officer is responsible for risk rating loans in their portfolio. These risk ratings are then reviewed by the department manager and/or the Chief Lending Officer and by the Credit Department. The risk ratings are also confirmed through periodic loan review examinations, which are currently performed by an independent third-party. Reports by the independent third-party are presented directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

19



Loans receivable by credit quality risk rating indicator, excluding PCI loans, are as follows (in thousands):
 

At March 31, 2018
 

Residential

Commercial
mortgage

Multi-
family

Construction

Total
mortgages

Commercial

Consumer

Total loans
Special mention

$
6,694

 
16,334

 
351

 

 
23,379

 
14,204

 
648

 
38,231

Substandard

8,343

 
22,582

 
238

 

 
31,163

 
65,241

 
1,971

 
98,375

Doubtful


 

 

 

 

 
428

 

 
428

Loss


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total classified and criticized

15,037

 
38,916

 
589

 

 
54,542

 
79,873

 
2,619

 
137,034

Acceptable/Watch

1,112,707

 
2,146,191

 
1,423,245

 
370,999

 
5,053,142

 
1,645,907

 
458,122

 
7,157,171

Total

$
1,127,744

 
2,185,107

 
1,423,834

 
370,999

 
5,107,684

 
1,725,780

 
460,741

 
7,294,205

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

At December 31, 2017
 

Residential

Commercial
mortgage

Multi-
family

Construction

Total
mortgages

Commercial

Consumer

Total loans
Special mention

$
4,325

 
19,172

 
15

 

 
23,512

 
20,738

 
486

 
44,736

Substandard

8,105

 
25,069

 

 

 
33,174

 
29,734

 
2,491

 
65,399

Doubtful


 

 

 

 

 
428

 

 
428

Loss


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total classified and criticized

12,430

 
44,241

 
15

 

 
56,686

 
50,900

 
2,977

 
110,563

Acceptable/Watch

1,129,917

 
2,126,815

 
1,403,870

 
392,580

 
5,053,182

 
1,694,238

 
470,980

 
7,218,400

Total

$
1,142,347

 
2,171,056

 
1,403,885

 
392,580

 
5,109,868

 
1,745,138

 
473,957

 
7,328,963

Note 4. Deposits
Deposits at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Savings
 
$
1,100,435

 
1,083,012

Money market
 
1,549,998

 
1,532,024

NOW
 
2,000,258

 
2,011,334

Non-interest bearing
 
1,440,618

 
1,452,987

Certificates of deposit
 
665,274

 
634,809

Total deposits
 
$
6,756,583

 
6,714,166

Note 5. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The Bank has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering its full-time employees who had attained age 21 with at least one year of service as of April 1, 2003. The pension plan was frozen on April 1, 2003. All participants in the Plan are 100% vested. The pension plan’s assets are invested in investment funds and group annuity contracts currently managed by the Principal Financial Group and Allmerica Financial.
In addition to pension benefits, certain health care and life insurance benefits are currently made available to certain of the Bank’s retired employees. The costs of such benefits are accrued based on actuarial assumptions from the date of hire to the date the employee is fully eligible to receive the benefits. Effective January 1, 2003, eligibility for retiree health care benefits was frozen as to new entrants and benefits were eliminated for employees with less than ten years of service as of December 31, 2002. Effective

20



January 1, 2007, eligibility for retiree life insurance benefits was frozen as to new entrants and retiree life insurance benefits were eliminated for employees with less than ten years of service as of December 31, 2006.
Net periodic benefit (increase) cost for pension benefits and other post-retirement benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 includes the following components (in thousands):
 

Three months ended March 31,
 

Pension
benefits

Other post-
retirement
benefits
 

2018

2017

2018

2017
Service cost

$

 

 
29

 
26

Interest cost

274

 
307

 
197

 
218

Expected return on plan assets

(693
)
 
(638
)
 

 

Amortization of prior service cost


 

 

 

Amortization of net loss (gain)

199

 
230

 
(99
)
 
(169
)
Net periodic benefit (increase) cost

$
(220
)
 
(101
)
 
127

 
75

In its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company previously disclosed that it does not expect to contribute to the pension plan in 2018. As of March 31, 2018, no contributions have been made to the pension plan.
The net periodic benefit (increase) cost for pension benefits and other post-retirement benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were calculated using the actual January 1, 2018 pension and other post-retirement benefits valuations.
Note 6. Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2018
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost," which requires that companies disaggregate the service cost component from other components of net benefit cost. This update calls for companies that offer post-retirement benefits to present the service cost, which is the amount an employer has to set aside each quarter or fiscal year to cover the benefits, in the same line item with other current employee compensation costs. Other components of net benefit cost will be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The initial adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This update provides guidance about changes to terms or conditions of a share-based payment award which would require modification accounting. In particular, an entity is required to account for the effects of a modification if the fair value, vesting condition or the equity/liability classification of the modified award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the award. ASU 2017-09 is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The initial adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments," a new standard which addresses diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies), distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable to apply the amendments retrospectively for some of the issues, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company adopted this guidance for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2018. The adoption

21



of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, nor was additional disclosure deemed necessary.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities." This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This amendment supersedes the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories, requires equity securities, except equity method investments, to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income, and simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The amendment requires public business entities that are required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet to measure that fair value using the exit price notion. The amendment requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option. The amendment requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The amendment reduces diversity in current practice by clarifying that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities should apply the amendment by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with the exception of the amendment related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values, which should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. As a result, $658,000 of equity securities, as of December 31, 2017, were reclassified from securities available for sale and presented as a separate item on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The $184,000 after-tax unrealized gain on these securities, at the time of adoption, was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings and is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity. For financial instruments that are measured at amortized cost, the Company measures fair value utilizing an exit pricing methodology, and as such, no changes were required as a result of the adoption of this guidance.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." The objective of this amendment is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets unless those contracts are in the scope of other standards. The ASU is effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Subsequently, the FASB issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations;” ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing;” ASU 2016-11, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting;” and ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.” These amendments are intended to improve and clarify the implementation guidance of ASU 2014-09 and have the same effective date as the original standard. The Company's revenue is comprised of net interest income on interest earning assets and liabilities and non-interest income. The scope of guidance explicitly excludes net interest income as well as other revenues associated with financial assets and liabilities, including loans, leases, securities and derivatives. Accordingly, the majority of the Company's revenues are not affected. The Company formed a working group to guide implementation efforts including the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance, as well as the evaluation of revenue contracts and the respective performance obligations within those contracts.  The Company completed its evaluation of this guidance and concluded there are no material changes related to the timing or amount of revenue recognition. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, but resulted in additional footnote disclosures, including the disaggregation of certain categories of revenue (see Note 10 - "Revenue Recognition").
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging." The purpose of this updated guidance is to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. ASU 2017-12 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, permitted. ASU 2017-12 requires a modified retrospective transition method in which the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of the change on the opening balance of each affected component of equity in the statement of financial position as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

22



In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” This ASU shortens the amortization period for premiums on callable debt securities by requiring that premiums be amortized to the first (or earliest) call date instead of as an adjustment to the yield over the contractual life. This change more closely aligns the accounting with the economics of a callable debt security and the amortization period with expectations that already are included in market pricing on callable debt securities. This ASU does not change the accounting for discounts on callable debt securities, which will continue to be amortized to the maturity date. This guidance only includes instruments that are held at a premium and have explicit call features. It does not include instruments that contain prepayment features, such as mortgage backed securities; nor does it include call options that are contingent upon future events or in which the timing or amount to be paid is not fixed. The effective date for this ASU is fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within the reporting period, with early adoption permitted. Transition is on a modified retrospective basis with an adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. If early adopted in an interim period, adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” The main objective of this ASU is to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment by requiring that impairment charges be based upon the first step in the current two-step impairment test under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350. Currently, if the fair value of a reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount (Step 1), an entity calculates any impairment charge by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount (Step 2). The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated by deducting the fair value of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit from the reporting unit’s fair value as determined in Step 1. To determine the implied fair value of goodwill, entities estimate the fair value of any unrecognized intangible assets and any corporate-level assets or liabilities that were included in the determination of the carrying amount and fair value of the reporting unit in Step 1. Under ASU 2017-04, if a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an entity will record an impairment charge based on that difference. The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This standard eliminates the requirement to calculate a goodwill impairment charge using Step 2. ASU 2017-04 does not change the guidance on completing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity will still be able to perform the current optional qualitative goodwill impairment assessment before determining whether to proceed to Step 1. The standard will be applied prospectively and is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect ASU 2017-04 to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The main objective of this ASU is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The amendments in this ASU require financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses would represent a valuation account that would be deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The income statement would reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses would be based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. An entity will be required to use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years, including interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2016-13 on the consolidated financial statements. In that regard, the Company has formed a cross-functional working group, under the direction of the Chief Credit Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer. The working group is comprised of individuals from various functional areas including credit, risk management, finance and information technology, among others. The Company is currently developing an implementation plan to include assessment of processes, portfolio segmentation, model development, system requirements and the identification of data and resource needs, among other things. Additionally, the Company is evaluating third-party vendor solutions to assist in the application of this guidance. The adoption of the ASU 2016-13 may result in an increase in the allowance for loan losses as a result of changing from an "incurred loss" model, which encompasses allowances for current known and inherent losses within the portfolio, to an "expected loss" model, which encompasses allowances for losses expected to be incurred over the life of the portfolio. Furthermore, ASU 2016-13 will necessitate establishing an allowance for expected credit losses on debt securities. The Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13. It is expected that the impact of adoption will be significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of our loan and securities portfolios as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842).” This ASU requires all lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset, measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments, at the lease commencement date.

23



Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged under the new guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective approach must be applied for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. During the quarter, the Company formed a working group to guide the implementation efforts, including the identification and review of all lease agreements within the scope of the guidance.  Additionally, the working group is currently evaluating third-party software platforms to support the requirements of this guidance. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the ASU will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Note 7. Fair Value Measurements
The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. The determination of fair values of financial instruments often requires the use of estimates. Where quoted market values in an active market are not readily available, the Company utilizes various valuation techniques to estimate fair value.
Fair value is an estimate of the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. However, in many instances fair value estimates may not be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and may not be realized in an immediate sale of the financial instrument.
GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure 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 fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1:
  
Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
 
Level 2:
  
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
 
 
Level 3:
  
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
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.
The valuation techniques are based upon the unpaid principal balance only, and exclude any accrued interest or dividends at the measurement date. Interest income and expense and dividend income are recorded within the consolidated statements of income depending on the nature of the instrument using the effective interest method based on acquired discount or premium.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The valuation techniques described below were used to measure fair value of financial instruments in the table below on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Available for Sale Debt Securities, at Fair Value
For available for sale debt securities, fair value was estimated using a market approach. The majority of the Company’s securities are fixed income instruments that are not quoted on an exchange, but are traded in active markets. Prices for these instruments are obtained through third-party data service providers or dealer market participants with which the Company has historically transacted both purchases and sales of securities. Prices obtained from these sources include market quotations and matrix pricing. Matrix pricing, a Level 2 input, is a mathematical technique used principally to value certain securities to benchmark or to comparable securities. The Company evaluates the quality of Level 2 matrix pricing through comparison to similar assets with greater liquidity and evaluation of projected cash flows. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to a secondary pricing source. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s internal price verification procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services has not historically resulted in an adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.

24


Equity Securities, at Fair Value
The Company holds equity securities that are traded in active markets with readily accessible quoted market prices that are considered Level 1 inputs.
Derivatives
The Company records all derivatives on the statement of financial condition at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. The Company has interest rate derivatives resulting from a service provided to certain qualified borrowers in a loan related transaction and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities. As such, all changes in fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives not used to manage interest rate risk are recognized directly in earnings.
The Company also uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, and which satisfy hedge accounting requirements, involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amount. These derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash outflows associated with FHLBNY borrowings. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of these derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.
The fair value of the Company's derivatives are determined using discounted cash flow analysis using observable market-based inputs, which are considered Level 2 inputs.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The valuation techniques described below were used to estimate fair value of financial instruments measured on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans
For loans measured for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, fair value was estimated using a market approach. The Company measures the fair value of collateral underlying impaired loans primarily through obtaining independent appraisals that rely upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets. These appraisals include adjustments, on an individual case-by-case basis, to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience, as well as adjustments for estimated costs to sell between 5% and 10%. The Company classifies these loans as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Foreclosed Assets
Assets acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure are carried at fair value, less estimated selling costs, which range between 5% and 10%. Fair value is generally based on independent appraisals that rely upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets. These appraisals include adjustments, on an individual case basis, to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience, and are classified as Level 3. When an asset is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value less estimated selling costs is charged to the allowance for loan losses. A reserve for foreclosed assets may be established to provide for possible write-downs and selling costs that occur subsequent to foreclosure. Foreclosed assets are carried net of the related reserve. Operating results from real estate owned, including rental income, operating expenses, and gains and losses realized from the sales of real estate owned, are recorded as incurred.
There were no changes to the valuation techniques for fair value measurements as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

25


The following tables present the assets and liabilities reported on the consolidated statements of financial condition at their fair values as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, by level within the fair value hierarchy:
 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
(In thousands)

March 31, 2018

Quoted Prices in
Active  Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Measured on a recurring basis:








Available for sale debt securities:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency obligations

$
6,999

 
6,999

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

1,003,603

 

 
1,003,603

 

State and municipal obligations

3,330

 

 
3,330

 

Corporate obligations
 
25,372

 

 
25,372

 

Total available for sale debt securities

1,039,304

 
6,999

 
1,032,305

 

Equity securities
 
655

 
655

 

 

 Derivative assets
 
11,486

 

 
11,486

 

 
 
$
1,051,445

 
7,654

 
1,043,791

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
$
9,560

 

 
9,560

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measured on a non-recurring basis:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans measured for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying collateral

$
18,689

 

 

 
18,689

Foreclosed assets

7,252

 

 

 
7,252



$
25,941

 

 

 
25,941

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
(In thousands)

December 31, 2017

Quoted Prices in
Active  Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Measured on a recurring basis:








Available for sale debt securities:








Agency obligations

$
19,005

 
19,005

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

988,367

 

 
988,367

 

State and municipal obligations

3,388

 

 
3,388

 

Corporate obligations
 
26,394

 

 
26,394

 

Total available for sale debt securities

1,037,154

 
19,005

 
1,018,149

 

Equity securities
 
658

 
658

 

 

Derivative assets
 
7,219

 

 
7,219

 

 
 
$
1,045,031

 
19,663

 
1,025,368

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 
$
6,315

 

 
6,315

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Measured on a non-recurring basis:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans measured for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying collateral

$
6,971

 

 

 
6,971

Foreclosed assets

6,864

 

 

 
6,864



$
13,835

 

 

 
13,835

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

26


Other Fair Value Disclosures
The Company is required to disclose estimated fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities on and off the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for those assets and liabilities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and short-term investments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.
Held to Maturity Debt Securities
For held to maturity debt securities, fair value was estimated using a market approach. The majority of the Company’s securities are fixed income instruments that are not quoted on an exchange, but are traded in active markets. Prices for these instruments are obtained through third party data service providers or dealer market participants with which the Company has historically transacted both purchases and sales of securities. Prices obtained from these sources include market quotations and matrix pricing. Matrix pricing, a Level 2 input, is a mathematical technique used principally to value certain securities to benchmark or comparable securities. The Company evaluates the quality of Level 2 matrix pricing through comparison to similar assets with greater liquidity and evaluation of projected cash flows. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to a secondary pricing source. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s internal price verification procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services has not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service. The Company also holds debt instruments issued by the U.S. government and U.S. government agencies that are traded in active markets with readily accessible quoted market prices that are considered Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLBNY") Stock
The carrying value of FHLBNY stock was its cost. The fair value of FHLBNY stock is based on redemption at par value. The Company classifies the estimated fair value as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
Loans
Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial mortgage, residential mortgage, commercial, construction and consumer. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and into performing and non-performing categories. The fair value of performing loans was estimated using a combination of techniques, including a discounted cash flow model that utilizes a discount rate that reflects the Company’s current pricing for loans with similar characteristics and remaining maturity, adjusted by an amount for estimated credit losses inherent in the portfolio at the balance sheet date (i.e. exit pricing). The rates take into account the expected yield curve, as well as an adjustment for prepayment risk, when applicable. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of its loan portfolio as Level 3.
The fair value for significant non-performing loans was based on recent external appraisals of collateral securing such loans, adjusted for the timing of anticipated cash flows. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of its non-performing loan portfolio as Level 3.
Deposits
The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest bearing demand deposits and savings deposits, was equal to the amount payable on demand and classified as Level 1. The estimated fair value of certificates of deposit was based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate was estimated using the Company’s current rates offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of its certificates of deposit portfolio as Level 2.
Borrowed Funds
The fair value of borrowed funds was estimated by discounting future cash flows using rates available for debt with similar terms and maturities and is classified by the Company as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

27


Commitments to Extend Credit and Letters of Credit
The fair value of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit was estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value estimates of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are deemed immaterial.
Limitations
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, 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 estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.
Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include goodwill and other intangibles, deferred tax assets and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

28


The following tables present the Company’s financial instruments at their carrying and fair values as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Fair values are presented by level within the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2018 Using:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
 
Quoted Prices in
Active  Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
133,514

 
133,514

 
133,514

 

 

Available for sale debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency obligations
 
6,999

 
6,999

 
6,999

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
1,003,603

 
1,003,603

 

 
1,003,603

 

State and municipal obligations
 
3,330

 
3,330

 

 
3,330

 

Corporate obligations
 
25,372

 
25,372

 

 
25,372

 

Total available for sale debt securities
 
$
1,039,304

 
1,039,304

 
6,999

 
1,032,305

 

Held to maturity debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency obligations
 
4,616

 
4,489

 
4,489

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
311

 
322

 

 
322

 

State and municipal obligations
 
452,031

 
451,177

 

 
451,177

 

Corporate obligations
 
9,987

 
9,799

 

 
9,799

 

Total held to maturity debt securities
 
$
466,945

 
465,787

 
4,489

 
461,298

 

FHLBNY stock
 
74,597

 
74,597

 
74,597

 

 

Equity Securities
 
655

 
655

 
655

 

 

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
 
7,228,617

 
7,130,722

 

 

 
7,130,722

Derivative assets
 
11,486

 
11,486

 

 
11,486

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits other than certificates of deposits
 
$
6,091,309

 
6,091,309

 
6,091,309

 

 

Certificates of deposit
 
665,274

 
662,475

 

 
662,475

 

Total deposits
 
$
6,756,583

 
6,753,784

 
6,091,309

 
662,475

 

Borrowings
 
1,590,088

 
1,582,518

 

 
1,582,518

 

Derivative liabilities
 
9,560

 
9,560

 

 
9,560

 


29


 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Using:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
value
 
Fair
value
 
Quoted Prices in
Active  Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
190,834

 
190,834

 
190,834

 

 

Available for sale debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency obligations
 
19,005

 
19,005

 
19,005

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
988,367

 
988,367

 

 
988,367

 

State and municipal obligations
 
3,388

 
3,388

 

 
3,388

 

Corporate obligations
 
$
26,394

 
26,394

 

 
26,394

 

Total available for sale debt securities
 
$
1,037,154

 
1,037,154

 
19,005

 
1,018,149

 

Held to maturity debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency obligations
 
$
4,308

 
4,221

 
4,221

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
382

 
396

 

 
396

 

State and municipal obligations
 
462,942

 
470,484

 

 
470,484

 

Corporate obligations
 
10,020

 
9,938

 

 
9,938

 

Total held to maturity debt securities
 
$
477,652

 
485,039

 
4,221

 
480,818

 

FHLBNY stock
 
81,184

 
81,184

 
81,184

 

 

Equity Securities
 
658

 
658

 
658

 

 

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
 
7,265,523

 
7,217,705

 

 

 
7,217,705

Derivative assets
 
7,219

 
7,219

 

 
7,219

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits other than certificates of deposits
 
$
6,079,357

 
6,079,357

 
6,079,357

 

 

Certificates of deposit
 
634,809

 
632,744

 

 
632,744

 

Total deposits
 
$
6,714,166

 
6,712,101

 
6,079,357

 
632,744

 

Borrowings
 
1,742,514

 
1,739,102

 

 
1,739,102

 

Derivative liabilities
 
6,315

 
6,315

 

 
6,315

 


30



Note 8. Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The following table presents the components of other comprehensive (loss) income, both gross and net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Before
Tax
 
Tax
Effect
 
After
Tax
 
Before
Tax
 
Tax
Effect
 
After
Tax
Components of Other Comprehensive Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (losses) gains arising during the period
 
$
(13,093
)
 
3,454

 
(9,639
)
 
1,287

 
(516
)
 
771

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
(13,093
)
 
3,454

 
(9,639
)
 
1,287

 
(516
)
 
771

Unrealized gains on derivatives (cash flow hedges)
 
720

 
(190
)
 
530

 
92

 
(37
)
 
55

Amortization related to post-retirement obligations
 
84

 
(22
)
 
62

 
53

 
(21
)
 
32

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
 
$
(12,289
)
 
3,242

 
(9,047
)
 
1,432

 
(574
)
 
858

The following table presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component, net of tax
for the three months ended March 31
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Unrealized
Losses on
Available for 
Sale Debt Securities
 
Post- Retirement
Obligations
 
Unrealized gains on Derivatives (cash flow hedges)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Loss
 
Unrealized
(Losses) Gains on
Available  for 
Sale Debt Securities
 
Post-  Retirement
Obligations
 
Unrealized (losses) on Derivatives (cash flow hedges)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
Balance at
December 31,
 
$
(3,292
)
 
(4,846
)
 
673

 
(7,465
)
 
(510
)
 
(3,056
)
 
169

 
(3,397
)
Current period other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(9,639
)
 
62

 
530

 
(9,047
)
 
771

 
32

 
55

 
858

Reclassification of unrealized gains on equity securities due to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01
 
(184
)
 

 

 
(184
)
 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31,
 
$
(13,115
)
 
(4,784
)
 
1,203

 
(16,696
)
 
261

 
(3,024
)
 
224

 
(2,539
)

31



The following table summarizes the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income to the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income ("AOCI")
 
 
Amount reclassified from AOCI for the three months ended March 31,
 
Affected line item in the Consolidated
Statement of Income
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Details of AOCI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post-retirement obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of actuarial losses
 
$
100

 
61

 
Compensation and employee benefits (1)
 
 
(26
)
 
(24
)
 
Income tax expense
 
 
$
74

 
37

 
Net of tax
Total reclassifications
 
$
74

 
37

 
Net of tax
(1) 
This item is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 5. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost.

32




Note 9. Derivative and Hedging Activities
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities.
Non-designated Hedges. Derivatives not designated in qualifying hedging relationships are not speculative and result from a service the Company provides to certain qualified commercial borrowers in loan related transactions and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities. The Company executes interest rate swaps with qualified commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. Those interest rate swaps are simultaneously hedged by offsetting interest rate swaps that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. The interest rate swap agreement which the Company executes with the commercial borrower is collateralized by the borrower's commercial real estate financed by the Company. The collateral exceeds the maximum potential amount of future payments under the credit derivative. As the interest rate swaps associated with this program do not meet the hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer swaps and the offsetting swaps are recognized directly in earnings. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had 48 interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $715.3 million and $718.5 million, respectively, related to this program. Additionally, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had two credit derivatives with an aggregate notional amount of $15.8 million resulting from participations in interest rate swaps provided to external lenders as part of loan participation arrangements; therefore, they are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company's assets or liabilities. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of these credit derivatives was immaterial.
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk. The Company’s objective in using interest rate derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. 
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash outflows associated with Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not record any hedge ineffectiveness.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $423,000 will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had two outstanding interest rate derivatives with an aggregate notional amount of $60.0 million that was designated as a cash flow hedge of interest rate risk.

33



The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
At March 31, 2018
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
Fair
Value
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
Fair
Value
Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate products
 
Other assets
 
$
9,851

 
Other liabilities
 
9,560

Credit contracts
 
Other assets
 

 
Other liabilities
 

Total derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument
 
 
 
$
9,851

 
 
 
9,560

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as a a hedging instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Interest rate products
 
Other assets
 
$
1,635

 
Other liabilities
 

Total derivatives designated as a hedging instrument
 
 
 
$
1,635

 
 
 

 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
Fair
Value
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
Fair
Value
Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate products
 
Other assets
 
$
6,303

 
Other liabilities
 
6,315

Credit contracts
 
Other assets
 
1

 

 

Total derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument
 
 
 
$
6,304

 
 
 
6,315

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as a a hedging instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate products
 
Other assets
 
$
915

 
Other liabilities
 

Total derivatives designated as a hedging instrument
 
 
 
$
915

 
 
 

The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) recognized in Income on derivatives for the three months ended
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate products
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
302

 
$
(226
)
Credit contracts
 
Other income (expense)
 

 
1

Total
 
 
 
$
302

 
$
(225
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as a hedging instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate products
 
Interest expense
 
$
6

 
$
(57
)
Total
 
 
 
$
6

 
$
(57
)

The Company has agreements with certain of its dealer counterparties that contain a provision that if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.

34



In addition, the Company has agreements with certain of its dealer counterparties that contain a provision that if the Company fails to maintain its status as a well/adequately capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and the Company would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements.
At March 31, 2018, the Company had five dealer counterparties, of which, only one dealer counterparty was in a net liability position. The termination value for this net liability position, which includes accrued interest, was $23,000. The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties. At March 31, 2018, the Company was not required to post collateral as the liability position is below the minimum transfer amount. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2018, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value.
Note 10. Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606. The Company performed a review and assessment of all revenue streams, the related contracts with customers and the underlying performance obligations in those contracts. This guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including interest income on loans and investments, which comprise the majority of the Company's revenue. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the out-of scope revenue related to financial instruments was 87% and 86% of the Company's total revenue, respectively. Revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of Topic 606, are components of non-interest income. These revenue streams can generally be classified into wealth management revenue and banking service charges and other fees. The adoption of this standard did not change the current measurement or recognition of revenue; as such, a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not deemed necessary.
The following table presents non-interest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in-thousands)
2018
 
2017
Non-interest income
 
 
 
In-scope of Topic 606:
 
 
 
Wealth management fees
$
4,400

 
4,213

Banking service charges and other fees:
 
 
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
3,315

 
3,145

Debit card and ATM fees
1,402

 
1,352

Total banking service charges and other fees
4,717

 
4,497

Total in-scope non-interest income
9,117

 
8,710

Total out-of-scope non-interest income
4,190

 
3,755

Total non-interest income
$
13,307

 
12,465

Wealth management fee income represents fees earned from customers as consideration for asset management, investment advisory and trust services. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied monthly and the resulting fees are recognized monthly based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. The monthly accrual of wealth management fees are recorded in other assets on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Fees are received from the customer either on on a quarterly or monthly basis. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives. To a lesser extent, optional services such tax return preparation and estate settlement are also available to existing customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transaction-based services are generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at either a point in time when the service is completed, or in the case of estate settlement, over a relatively short period of time, as each service component is completed.
Service charges on deposit accounts include overdraft service fees, account analysis fees and other deposit related fees. These fees are generally transaction-based, or time-based services. The Company's performance obligation for these services are generally satisfied, and revenue recognized, at the time the transaction is completed, or the service rendered. Fees for these services are generally received from the customer either at the time of transaction, or monthly. Debit card and ATM fees are generally transaction-based. Debit card revenue is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned when a customer's Company card is processed through a card payment network. ATM fees are largely generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM, or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM. The Company's performance obligation for these services are satisfied when the service is rendered. Payment is generally received at time of transaction or monthly.
Out-of-scope non-interest income primarily consists of Bank-owned life insurance and net fees on loan level interest rate swaps, along with gains and losses on the sale of loans and foreclosed real estate, loan prepayment fees and loan servicing fees. None of these revenue streams are subject to the requirements of Topic 606.

35



Item 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” "project," "intend," “anticipate,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, changes in accounting policies and practices that may be adopted by the regulatory agencies and the accounting standards setters, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset-liability management, the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.
The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date made. The Company advises readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not have any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company considers certain accounting policies to be critically important to the fair presentation of its financial condition and results of operations. These policies require management to make complex judgments on matters which by their nature have elements of uncertainty. The sensitivity of the Company’s consolidated financial statements to these critical accounting policies, and the assumptions and estimates applied, could have a significant impact on its financial condition and results of operations. These assumptions, estimates and judgments made by management can be influenced by a number of factors, including the general economic environment. The Company has identified the following as critical accounting policies:
Adequacy of the allowance for loan losses
Valuation of available for sale debt securities and impairment analysis
Valuation of deferred tax assets
The calculation of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy of the Company. The allowance for loan losses is a valuation account that reflects management’s evaluation of the probable losses in the loan portfolio. The Company maintains the allowance for loan losses through provisions for loan losses that are charged to income. Charge-offs against the allowance for loan losses are taken on loans where management determines that the collection of loan principal is unlikely. Recoveries made on loans that have been charged-off are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Management's evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses includes a review of all loans on which the collectability of principal may not be reasonably assured. For residential mortgage and consumer loans, this is determined primarily by delinquency status. For commercial mortgage, multi-family, construction and commercial loans, an extensive review of financial performance, payment history and collateral values is conducted on a quarterly basis.
As part of the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, each quarter management prepares an analysis that categorizes the entire loan portfolio by certain risk characteristics such as loan type (residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, construction, commercial, etc.) and loan risk rating.
When assigning a risk rating to a loan, management utilizes a nine point internal risk rating system. Loans deemed to be “acceptable quality” are rated 1 through 4, with a rating of 1 established for loans with minimal risk. Loans deemed to be of “questionable quality” are rated 5 (watch) or 6 (special mention). Loans with adverse classifications (substandard, doubtful or loss) are rated 7, 8 or 9, respectively. Commercial mortgage, multi-family, construction and commercial loans are rated individually and each lending officer is responsible for risk rating loans in their portfolio. These risk ratings are then reviewed by the department manager and/or the Chief Lending Officer and the Credit Department. The risk ratings are also confirmed through periodic loan review examinations, which are currently performed by an independent third party, and periodically by the Credit Committee in the credit

36



renewal or approval process. In addition, the Bank requires an annual review be performed for commercial and commercial real estate loans above certain dollar thresholds, depending on loan type, to help determine the appropriate risk rating.
Management estimates the amount of loan losses for groups of loans by applying quantitative loss factors to loan segments at the risk rating level, and applying qualitative adjustments to each loan segment at the portfolio level. Quantitative loss factors give consideration to historical loss experience by loan type based upon an appropriate look-back period and adjusted for a loss emergence period. Quantitative loss factors are evaluated at least annually. Management completed its annual evaluation of the quantitative loss factors for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Qualitative adjustments give consideration to other qualitative or environmental factors such as trends and levels of delinquencies, impaired loans, charge-offs, recoveries and loan volumes, as well as national and local economic trends and conditions. Qualitative adjustments reflect risks in the loan portfolio not captured by the quantitative loss factors and, as such, are evaluated from a risk level perspective relative to the risk levels present over the look-back period. Qualitative adjustments are evaluated at least quarterly. The reserves resulting from the application of both of these sets of loss factors are combined to arrive at the allowance for loan losses.
Management believes the primary risks inherent in the portfolio are a general decline in the economy, a decline in real estate market values, rising unemployment or a protracted period of elevated unemployment, increasing vacancy rates in commercial investment properties and possible increases in interest rates in the absence of economic improvement. Any one or a combination of these events may adversely affect borrowers’ ability to repay the loans, resulting in increased delinquencies, loan losses and future levels of provisions. Accordingly, the Company has provided for loan losses at the current level to address the current risk in its loan portfolio. Management considers it important to maintain the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans at an acceptable level given current economic conditions, interest rates and the composition of the portfolio.
Although management believes that the Company has established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at appropriate levels, additions may be necessary if future economic and other conditions differ substantially from the current operating environment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis giving consideration to historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile securities markets, and declines in the housing and commercial real estate markets and the economy generally have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for loan losses as an integral part of their examination process. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance or additional write-downs based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Although management uses the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change.
The Company’s available for sale debt securities portfolio is carried at estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in Stockholders’ Equity. Estimated fair values are based on market quotations or matrix pricing as discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. Securities which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost. Management conducts a periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if any declines in the fair values of securities are other-than-temporary. In this evaluation, if such a decline were deemed other-than-temporary, management would measure the total credit-related component of the unrealized loss, and recognize that portion of the loss as a charge to current period earnings. The remaining portion of the unrealized loss would be recognized as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income. The fair value of the securities portfolio is significantly affected by changes in interest rates. In general, as interest rates rise, the fair value of fixed-rate securities decreases and as interest rates fall, the fair value of fixed-rate securities increases. The Company determines if it has the intent to sell these securities or if it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the securities before the anticipated recovery. If either exists, the entire decline in value is considered other-than-temporary and would be recognized as an expense in the current period. In its evaluations, the Company did not recognize an other-than-temporary impairment charge on securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
The determination of whether deferred tax assets will be realizable is predicated on the reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities and estimates of future taxable income. Such estimates are subject to management’s judgment. A valuation allowance is established when management is unable to conclude that it is more likely than not that it will realize deferred tax assets based on the nature and timing of these items. The Company did not require a valuation allowance at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

37



COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT MARCH 31, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017
Total assets at March 31, 2018 totaled $9.73 billion, a $111.0 million decrease from December 31, 2017. The decline in total assets was primarily due to a $57.3 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents, a $34.6 million decrease in total loans, a $15.1 million decrease in total investments and a $1.5 million decrease in premises and equipment.
Total loans decreased $34.6 million, or 0.47%, to $7.29 billion at March 31, 2018, from $7.33 billion at December 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, loan originations, including advances on lines of credit, totaled $873.3 million, compared with $724.5 million for the same period in 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the loan portfolio had net decreases of $21.6 million in construction loans, $19.4 million in commercial loans, $14.6 million in residential mortgage loans and $13.2 million in consumer loans, partially offset by net increases of $19.9 million in multi-family mortgage loans and $14.0 million in commercial mortgage loans. Commercial real estate, commercial and construction loans represented 78.2% of the loan portfolio at March 31, 2018, compared to 77.9% at December 31, 2017.
The Company participates in loans originated by other banks, including participations designated as Shared National Credits (“SNCs”). The Company’s gross commitments and outstanding balances as a participant in SNCs were $317.0 million and $210.8 million, respectively, at March 31, 2018. No SNCs were 90 days or more delinquent at March 31, 2018.
The Company had outstanding junior lien mortgages totaling $198.7 million at March 31, 2018. Of this total, 15 loans totaling $933,000 were 90 days or more delinquent. These loans were allocated total loss reserves of $174,000.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s non-performing assets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):


March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017
Mortgage loans:




Residential

$
8,343

 
8,105

Commercial

4,265

 
7,090

Total mortgage loans

12,608

 
15,195

Commercial loans

31,359

 
17,243

Consumer loans

1,971

 
2,491

Total non-performing/non-accrual loans

45,938

 
34,929

Total non-performing/accruing loans - 90 days or more delinquent
 

 

Total non-performing loans
 
45,938

 
34,929

Foreclosed assets

7,252

 
6,864

Total non-performing assets

$
53,190

 
41,793

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s 60-89 day delinquent loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Mortgage loans:
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
$
6,694

 
4,325

Commercial
 
949

 

Total mortgage loans
 
7,643

 
4,325

Commercial loans
 
250

 
406

Consumer loans
 
647

 
487

Total 60-89 day delinquent loans
 
$
8,540

 
5,218

At March 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses totaled $62.5 million, or 0.86% of total loans, compared with $60.2 million, or 0.82% of total loans at December 31, 2017. Total non-performing loans were $45.9 million, or 0.63% of total loans at March 31, 2018, compared to $34.9 million, or 0.48% of total loans at December 31, 2017. The $11.0 million increase in non-performing loans at March 31, 2018, compared to non-performing loans at December 31, 2017, was due to a $14.1 million increase in non-performing commercial loans and a $238,000 increase in non-performing residential loans, partially offset by a $2.8 million decrease in non-performing commercial mortgage loans and a $520,000 decrease in non-performing consumer loans. Non-performing loans do not include $946,000 of purchased credit impaired ("PCI") loans.

38



At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company held $7.3 million and $6.9 million of foreclosed assets, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were three additions to foreclosed assets with a carrying value of $673,000 and three properties sold with a carrying value of $285,000. Foreclosed assets at March 31, 2018 consisted of $3.8 million of commercial real estate and $3.5 million of residential real estate.
Non-performing assets totaled $53.2 million, or 0.55% of total assets at March 31, 2018, compared to $41.8 million, or 0.42% of total assets at December 31, 2017.
Total investments decreased $15.1 million, or 0.95%, to $1.58 billion at March 31, 2018, from $1.60 billion at December 31, 2017, largely due to principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities, maturities and calls of certain municipal and agency bonds and an increase in unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, partially offset by purchases of mortgage-backed and municipal securities.
Total deposits increased $42.4 million, or 0.63%, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, to $6.76 billion from $6.71 billion at December 31, 2017. Total time deposits increased $30.5 million to $665.3 million at March 31, 2018, from $634.8 million at December 31, 2017, while total core deposits, which consist of savings and demand deposit accounts, increased $12.0 million to $6.09 billion at March 31, 2018, from $6.08 billion at December 31, 2017. The increase in time deposits was primarily the result of a 13 month certificate of deposit promotional campaign, which provided the Company a lower-cost funding alternative to wholesale borrowings. The increase in core deposits was largely attributable to an $18.0 million increase in money market deposits and a $17.4 million increase in savings deposits, partially offset by a $12.4 million decrease in non-interest bearing demand deposits and an $11.1 million decrease in interest bearing demand deposits. Core deposits represented 90.2% of total deposits at March 31, 2018, compared to 90.5% at December 31, 2017.
Borrowed funds decreased $152.4 million, or 8.7%, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, to $1.59 billion. The decrease in borrowings for the period was a function of wholesale funding being partially replaced by net inflows of deposits and lower asset funding requirements. Borrowed funds represented 16.3% of total assets at March 31, 2018, a decrease from 17.7% at December 31, 2017.
Stockholders’ equity increased $6.2 million, or 0.48%, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, to $1.30 billion, due to net income earned for the period, partially offset by dividends paid to stockholders and an increase in unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities. Common stock repurchases made in connection with withholding to cover income taxes on the vesting of stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled 68,627 shares at an average cost of $26.12. At March 31, 2018, 3.1 million shares remained eligible for repurchase under the current stock repurchase authorization.
Book value per share and tangible book value per share at March 31, 2018 were $19.55 and $13.27, respectively, compared with $19.52 and $13.20, respectively, at December 31, 2017. Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure.
The following table reconciles book value per share to tangible book value per share and the associated calculations (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
March 31,
2018
December 31,
2017

Total stockholders' equity
 
$
1,304,886

 
1,298,661

Less: Total intangible assets
 
419,721

 
420,290

Total tangible stockholders' equity
 
$
885,165

 
878,371

 
 
 
 
 
Shares outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
 
66,729,095

 
66,535,017

 
 
 
 
 
Book value per share (total stockholders' equity/shares outstanding)
 

$19.55

 

$19.52

Tangible book value per share (total tangible stockholders' equity/shares outstanding)
 

$13.27

 

$13.20

Liquidity and Capital Resources. Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet financial obligations to its depositors, to fund loans and securities purchases, deposit outflows and operating expenses. Sources of funds include scheduled amortization of loans, loan prepayments, scheduled maturities of investments, cash flows from mortgage-backed securities and the ability to borrow funds from the FHLBNY and approved broker-dealers.
Cash flows from loan payments and maturing investment securities are fairly predictable sources of funds. Changes in interest rates, local economic conditions and the competitive marketplace can influence loan prepayments, prepayments on mortgage-backed securities and deposit flows.

39



The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the other federal bank regulatory agencies issued a final rule that revised the leverage and risk-based capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make them consistent with agreements that were reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, that was effective January 1, 2015. Among other things, the rule established a new common equity Tier 1 minimum capital requirement (4.5% of risk-weighted assets), adopted a uniform minimum leverage capital ratio at 4%, increased the minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets requirement (from 4% to 6% of risk-weighted assets) and assigns a higher risk weight (150%) to exposures that are more than 90 days past due or are on nonaccrual status and to certain commercial real estate facilities that finance the acquisition, development or construction of real property. The rule also required unrealized gains and losses on certain “available-for-sale” securities holdings to be included for purposes of calculating regulatory capital unless a one-time opt-out was exercised. The Company exercised the option to exclude unrealized gains and losses from the calculation of regulatory capital. Additional constraints were also imposed on the inclusion in regulatory capital of mortgage-servicing assets, deferred tax assets and minority interests. The rule limits a banking organization’s capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if the banking organization does not hold a “capital conservation buffer,” which when fully phased-in will consist of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets in addition to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The capital conservation buffer was effective on January 1, 2016, with a 0.625% requirement in that year, and will continue to be phased in through January 1, 2019, when the full capital requirement will be effective. For 2018, the capital conservation buffer requirement is 1.875%.
As of March 31, 2018, the Bank and the Company exceeded all current minimum regulatory capital requirements as follows:
 

March 31, 2018
 

Required

Required with Capital Conservation Buffer
 
Actual
 

Amount

Ratio

Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount

Ratio
 

(Dollars in thousands)
Bank:(1)





 
 
 
 



Tier 1 leverage capital
 
$
373,769

 
4.00
%
 
$
373,769

 
4.00
%
 
$
863,076

 
9.24
%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital

342,188

 
4.50

 
484,766

 
6.38

 
863,076

 
11.35

Tier 1 risk-based capital

456,250

 
6.00

 
598,829

 
7.88

 
863,076

 
11.35

Total risk-based capital

608,334

 
8.00

 
750,912

 
9.88

 
925,746

 
12.17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 leverage capital
 
$
373,786

 
4.00
%
 
$
373,786

 
4.00
%
 
$
902,442

 
9.66
%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital

342,209

 
4.50

 
484,796

 
6.38

 
902,442

 
11.87

Tier 1 risk-based capital

456,278

 
6.00

 
598,865

 
7.88

 
902,442

 
11.87

Total risk-based capital

608,371

 
8.00

 
750,958

 
9.88

 
964,963

 
12.69

(1) Under the FDIC's prompt corrective action provisions, the Bank is considered well capitalized if it has: a leverage (Tier 1) capital ratio of at least 5.00%; a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.50%; a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.00%; and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.00%.
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2017
General. The Company reported net income of $27.9 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to net income of $23.5 million, or $0.37 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in the Company’s earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was driven by period-over-period growth in average loans outstanding, growth in both average non-interest bearing and interest bearing core deposits and an expansion of the net interest margin, combined with a decrease in income tax expense resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The improvement in earnings was tempered by an increase in the provision for loan losses.
Net Interest Income. Total net interest income increased $6.2 million to $73.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from $67.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 increased $8.4 million to $86.3 million, from $77.9 million for the same period in 2017. Interest expense increased $2.2 million to $13.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from $10.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.
The net interest margin increased 19 basis points to 3.30% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with 3.11% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets increased 26 basis points to 3.89% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with 3.63% for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, while the weighted average cost of

40



interest bearing liabilities increased 11 basis points to 0.76% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same quarter in 2017. The average cost of interest bearing deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was 0.47%, compared with 0.35% for the same period last year. Average non-interest bearing demand deposits totaled $1.42 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared with $1.33 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The average cost of borrowed funds for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was 1.70%, compared with 1.63% for the same period last year.
Interest income on loans secured by real estate increased $5.5 million to $51.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $46.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Commercial loan interest income increased $2.3 million to $19.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $16.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Consumer loan interest income decreased $109,000 to $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the average balance of total loans increased $323.5 million to $7.24 billion, from $6.92 billion for the same period in 2017. The average loan yield for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased 25 basis points to 4.18%, from 3.93% for the same period in 2017.
Interest income on held to maturity debt securities decreased $104,000 to $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from the same period in 2017. Average investment debt securities held to maturity decreased $16.5 million to $469.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $486.2 million for the same period last year.
The average yield on total securities increased to 2.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with 2.40% for the same period in 2017.
Interest expense on deposits increased $1.8 million, or 40.0%, to $6.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from $4.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The average cost of interest bearing deposits increased to 0.47% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from 0.35% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The average balance of interest bearing core deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 increased $137.6 million to $4.70 billion, from $4.56 billion for the same period in 2017. Average time deposit account balances decreased $33.5 million, to $631.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from $664.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.
Interest expense on borrowed funds increased $393,000 to $6.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from $6.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The average cost of borrowings increased to 1.70% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from 1.63% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Average borrowings increased $27.1 million, or 1.7%, to $1.63 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from $1.60 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.
Provision for Loan Losses. Provisions for loan losses are charged to operations in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level management considers necessary to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. In determining the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers past and current loss experience, evaluations of real estate collateral, current economic conditions, volume and type of lending, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay the loan and the levels of non-performing and other classified loans. The amount of the allowance is based on estimates, and the ultimate losses may vary from such estimates as more information becomes available or later events change. Management assesses the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis and makes provisions for loan losses, if necessary, in order to maintain the adequacy of the allowance.
The Company recorded provisions for loan losses of $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. This compared with provisions for loan losses of $1.5 million recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company had net charge-offs of $3.1 million compared with net charge-offs of $1.2 million for the same period in 2017. At March 31, 2018, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was $62.5 million, or 0.86% of total loans, compared with $60.2 million, or 0.82% of total loans, at December 31, 2017. The increase in the provision for loan losses and loan charge-offs for the first quarter of 2018 was primarily due to deterioration in selected commercial credits, including a $15.4 million credit to a commercial borrower that on March 27, 2018 filed a Chapter 7 petition in bankruptcy for a liquidation of assets. A specific reserve of $2.5 million was established for this impaired loan, which is subject to ongoing review. As a result, additional reserves may be required.
Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income totaled $13.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $842,000, or 6.8%, compared to the same period in 2017. Fee income increased $634,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to a $344,000 increase in commercial loan prepayment fee income, a $102,000 increase in deposit related fee income and a $50,000 increase in debit card revenue, partially offset by a $45,000 decrease in merchant fee income. Wealth management income increased $187,000 to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, resulting from growth in assets under management, higher incremental fees on new asset management relationships and increased revenue from mutual fund offerings. Other income increased $145,000 to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $858,000 for the same period in 2017, principally due to a $322,000 increase in net gains on loan sales, partially offset by a $111,000 decrease in net gains recognized on the sale of foreclosed real estate. These increases in non-interest

41



income were partially offset by a $125,000 decrease in income from Bank-owned life insurance largely due to a decline in equity valuations and lower policy crediting rates.
Non-Interest Expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, non-interest expense totaled $46.9 million, an increase of $786,000, or 1.7%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Compensation and benefits expense increased $1.0 million to $27.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $26.8 million for the same period in 2017. This increase was primarily due to additional salary expense related to annual merit increases and an increase in stock-based compensation, partially offset by a decrease in retirement benefit costs. Data processing expense increased $149,000 to $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2017, principally due to increases in software maintenance expense and statement rendering costs, partially offset by lower telecommunication expense. Additionally, advertising and promotion expenses increased $110,000 to $967,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, largely due to the timing of the Company's advertising campaigns. Partially offsetting these increases in non-interest expense, net occupancy costs decreased $210,000, to $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, largely due to decreases in depreciation expense, real estate taxes and maintenance expense, partially offset by an increase in rent expense. A portion of these variances are associated with the Company's sale and leaseback of certain facilities in December 2017. Amortization of intangibles decreased $182,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same period in 2017, as a result of scheduled reductions in amortization.
Income Tax Expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company’s income tax expense was $6.4 million compared with $8.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company’s effective tax rate was 18.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 26.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease in tax expense and the effective tax rate were both favorably impacted by the enactment of the Tax Act on December 22, 2017, partially offset by an increase in pre-tax income derived from taxable sources.
Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Qualitative Analysis. Interest rate risk is the exposure of a bank’s current and future earnings and capital arising from adverse movements in interest rates. The guidelines of the Company’s interest rate risk policy seek to limit the exposure to changes in interest rates that affect the underlying economic value of assets and liabilities, earnings and capital. To minimize interest rate risk, the Company generally sells all 20- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans at origination. Commercial real estate loans generally have interest rates that reset in five years, and other commercial loans such as construction loans and commercial lines of credit reset with changes in the Prime rate, the Federal Funds rate or LIBOR. Investment securities purchases generally have maturities of five years or less, and mortgage-backed securities have weighted average lives between three and five years.
The Asset/Liability Committee meets on at least a monthly basis to review the impact of interest rate changes on net interest income, net interest margin, net income and the economic value of equity. The Asset/Liability Committee reviews a variety of strategies that project changes in asset or liability mix and the impact of those changes on projected net interest income and net income.
The Company’s strategy for liabilities has been to maintain a stable core-funding base by focusing on core deposit account acquisition and increasing products and services per household. The Company’s ability to retain maturing time deposit accounts is the result of its strategy to remain competitively priced within its marketplace. The Company’s pricing strategy may vary depending upon current funding needs and the ability of the Company to fund operations through alternative sources, primarily by accessing short-term lines of credit with the FHLBNY during periods of pricing dislocation.
Quantitative Analysis. Current and future sensitivity to changes in interest rates are measured through the use of balance sheet and income simulation models. The analysis captures changes in net interest income using flat rates as a base, a most likely rate forecast and rising and declining interest rate forecasts. Changes in net interest income and net income for the forecast period, generally twelve to twenty-four months, are measured and compared to policy limits for acceptable change. The Company periodically reviews historical deposit re-pricing activity and makes modifications to certain assumptions used in its income simulation model regarding the interest rate sensitivity of deposits without maturity dates. These modifications are made to more closely reflect the most likely results under the various interest rate change scenarios. Since it is inherently difficult to predict the sensitivity of interest bearing deposits to changes in interest rates, the changes in net interest income due to changes in interest rates cannot be precisely predicted. There are a variety of reasons that may cause actual results to vary considerably from the predictions presented below which include, but are not limited to, the timing, magnitude, and frequency of changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, prepayments, and actions taken in response to such changes.
Specific assumptions used in the simulation model include:
Parallel yield curve shifts for market rates;
Current asset and liability spreads to market interest rates are fixed;
Traditional savings and interest-bearing demand accounts move at 10% of the rate ramp in either direction;
Retail Money Market and Business Money Market accounts move at 25% and 75% of the rate ramp in either direction respectively; and
Higher-balance demand deposit tiers and promotional demand accounts move at 50% to 75% of the rate ramp in either direction

42



The following table sets forth the results of a twelve-month net interest income projection model as of March 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):
Change in Interest Rates in
Basis Points (Rate Ramp)
 
Net Interest Income
Dollar
Amount
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
-100
 
$
298,117

 
$
(858
)
 
(0.3
)%
Static
 
298,975

 

 

+100
 
296,370

 
(2,605
)
 
(0.9
)
+200
 
293,243

 
(5,732
)
 
(1.9
)
+300
 
289,670

 
(9,305
)
 
(3.1
)
The preceding table indicates that, as of March 31, 2018, in the event of a 300 basis point increase in interest rates, whereby rates ramp up evenly over a twelve-month period, net interest income would decrease 3.1%, or $9.3 million. In the event of a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates, net interest income would decrease 0.3%, or $858,000 over the same period.

Another measure of interest rate sensitivity is to model changes in economic value of equity through the use of immediate and sustained interest rate shocks. The following table illustrates the result of the economic value of equity model as of March 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):
  
 
Present Value of Equity
 
Present Value of Equity
as Percent of Present
Value of Assets
Change in Interest
Rates (Basis Points)
 
Dollar
Amount
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Present
Value Ratio
 
Percent
Change
-100
 
$
1,512,704

 
$
4,344

 
0.3
 %
 
15.4
%
 
(2.0
)%
Flat
 
1,508,360

 

 

 
15.7

 

+100
 
1,442,976

 
(65,384
)
 
(4.3
)
 
15.4

 
(1.9
)
+200
 
1,376,360

 
(132,000
)
 
(8.8
)
 
15.1

 
(4.0
)
+300
 
1,314,189

 
(194,171
)
 
(12.9
)
 
14.7

 
(6.1
)
The preceding table indicates that as of March 31, 2018, in the event of an immediate and sustained 300 basis point increase in interest rates, the present value of equity is projected to decrease 12.9%, or $194.2 million. If rates were to decrease 100 basis points, the model forecasts a 0.3%, or $4.3 million, increase in the present value of equity.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in net interest income requires the use of certain assumptions regarding prepayment and deposit decay rates, which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. While management believes such assumptions are reasonable, there can be no assurance that assumed prepayment rates and decay rates will approximate actual future loan prepayment and deposit withdrawal activity. Moreover, the net interest income table presented assumes that the composition of interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the net interest income table provides an indication of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to and does not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on the Company’s net interest income and will differ from actual results.
 
Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were evaluated at the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these legal actions and claims are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors that were previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
 
(a) Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
(b) Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)
 
(d) Maximum Number
of Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased under
the Plans or Programs (1)(2)
January 1, 2018 through January 31, 2018
 
294

 
27.84

 
294

 
3,146,199

February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018
 
18,816

 
$
25.94

 
18,816

 
3,127,383

March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018
 
49,517

 
26.18

 
49,517

 
3,077,866

Total
 
68,627

 
26.12

 
68,627

 
 
(1)
On October 24, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the purchase of up to 3,107,077 shares of its common stock under a seventh general repurchase program which commenced upon completion of the previous repurchase program. The repurchase program has no expiration date.
(2)
On December 20, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the purchase of up to 3,017,770 shares of its common stock under an eighth general repurchase program which will commence upon completion of the previous repurchase program. The repurchase program has no expiration date.

44



Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not Applicable
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable
 
Item 5.
Other Information.
None
 
Item 6.
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
3.1
 
 
3.2
 
 
4.1
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
31.2
 
 
32
101
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report to Stockholders on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.INS 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


45




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
May 10, 2018
 
By:
 
/s/ Christopher Martin
 
 
 
 
 
 
Christopher Martin
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
May 10, 2018
 
By:
 
/s/ Thomas M. Lyons
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thomas M. Lyons
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
May 10, 2018
 
By:
 
/s/ Frank S. Muzio
 
 
 
 
 
 
Frank S. Muzio
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer


46