10-Q 1 a09-11249_110q.htm 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

 

 

OR

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number: 000-51402

 


 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Federally chartered corporation

 

04-6002575

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer identification number)

 

 

 

111 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA

 

02199

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

(617) 292-9600

(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 12 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.  x Yes  o 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 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  o Yes  o No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

o Yes                    x No

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

Shares outstanding
as of April 30, 2009

 

Class B Stock, par value $100

 

$

37,020,074

 

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

1

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1

 

Statements of Condition

 

1

 

Statements of Income

 

2

 

Statements of Capital

 

3

 

Statements of Cash Flows

 

4

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

33

 

Primary Business Related Developments

 

33

 

Financial Highlights

 

34

 

Quarterly Overview

 

35

 

Results of Operations

 

36

 

Financial Condition

 

43

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

54

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

58

 

Recent Accounting Developments

 

59

 

Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments

 

61

 

Recent Regulatory Actions and Credit Rating Agency Actions

 

64

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

64

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

88

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

90

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

90

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

90

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

91

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

91

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

91

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

91

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

91

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

91

 



Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(dollars and shares in thousands, except par value)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

5,759

 

$

5,735

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

11,552,123

 

3,279,075

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

1,000,000

 

2,500,000

 

Federal funds sold

 

900,000

 

2,540,000

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities

 

61,984

 

63,196

 

Available-for-sale securities - includes $132,818 and $143,624 pledged as collateral at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively, that may be repledged

 

1,088,422

 

1,214,404

 

Held-to-maturity securities includes $112,367 and $170,436 pledged as collateral at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively, that may be repledged (a)

 

7,954,230

 

9,268,224

 

Advances

 

49,433,322

 

56,926,267

 

Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net of allowance for credit losses of $450 and $350 at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively

 

4,066,816

 

4,153,537

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

198,859

 

288,753

 

Resolution Funding Corporation (REFCorp) prepaid assessment

 

40,236

 

40,236

 

Premises, software, and equipment, net

 

5,125

 

5,841

 

Derivative assets

 

28,738

 

28,935

 

Other assets

 

43,682

 

38,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

76,379,296

 

$

80,353,167

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

$

801,168

 

$

600,481

 

Non-interest-bearing

 

39,682

 

10,589

 

Total deposits

 

840,850

 

611,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated obligations, net:

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

30,364,574

 

32,254,002

 

Discount notes

 

41,147,285

 

42,472,266

 

Total consolidated obligations, net

 

71,511,859

 

74,726,268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

90,886

 

93,406

 

Accrued interest payable

 

234,418

 

258,530

 

Affordable Housing Program (AHP)

 

33,076

 

34,815

 

Derivative liabilities

 

1,055,251

 

1,173,794

 

Other liabilities

 

20,726

 

25,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

73,787,066

 

76,922,942

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

Capital stock – Class B – putable ($100 par value), 36,045 shares and 35,847 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively

 

3,604,513

 

3,584,720

 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

245,919

 

(19,749

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

(176,104

)

(130,480

)

Net unrealized loss relating to hedging activities

 

(408

)

(379

)

Net noncredit portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities

 

(1,077,927

)

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

(3,763

)

(3,887

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital

 

2,592,230

 

3,430,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Capital

 

$

76,379,296

 

$

80,353,167

 

 


(a) Fair values of held-to-maturity securities were $7,195,216 and $7,584,782 at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

1



Table of Contents

 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

INTEREST INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

$

251,245

 

$

610,736

 

Prepayment fees on advances, net

 

939

 

4,447

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

1,489

 

1

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

2,992

 

9,003

 

Federal funds sold

 

2,408

 

15,001

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities

 

763

 

1,554

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

3,322

 

9,972

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

61,417

 

135,014

 

Prepayment fees on investments

 

7

 

717

 

Mortgage loans held for portfolio

 

52,715

 

52,260

 

Total interest income

 

377,297

 

838,705

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

219,544

 

319,506

 

Discount notes

 

100,398

 

415,199

 

Deposits

 

243

 

7,056

 

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

 

312

 

Other borrowings

 

35

 

151

 

Total interest expense

 

320,220

 

742,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

 

57,077

 

96,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

 

56,977

 

96,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities

 

(894,565

)

 

Portion of impairment losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

767,653

 

 

Net impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities recognized in income

 

(126,912

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

(2,699

)

Service fees

 

936

 

1,305

 

Net unrealized gains on trading securities

 

1,096

 

75

 

Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities

 

24

 

(4,306

)

Other

 

(7

)

16

 

Total other loss

 

(124,863

)

(5,609

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

13,730

 

13,044

 

Finance Agency and Office of Finance

 

1,499

 

1,099

 

Other

 

323

 

261

 

Total other expense

 

15,552

 

14,404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE ASSESSMENTS

 

(83,438

)

76,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AHP

 

 

6,274

 

REFCorp

 

 

14,039

 

Total assessments

 

 

20,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME

 

$

(83,438

)

$

56,155

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 and 2008

(dollars and shares in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Capital Stock
Class B - Putable

 

(Accumulated
Deficit)
Retained

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Total

 

 

 

Shares

 

Par Value

 

Earnings

 

Loss

 

Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2007

 

31,638

 

$

3,163,793

 

$

225,922

 

$

(2,201

)

$

3,387,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of capital stock

 

1,441

 

144,114

 

 

 

 

 

144,114

 

Repurchase/redemption of capital stock

 

(3

)

(240

)

 

 

 

 

(240

)

Reclassification of shares to mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

(14

)

(1,421

)

 

 

 

 

(1,421

)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

56,155

 

 

 

56,155

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,907

)

(36,907

)

Reclassification adjustment for previously deferred hedging gains and losses included in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(289

)

(289

)

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67

 

67

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,026

 

Cash dividends on capital stock (6.00%) (1)

 

 

 

 

 

(49,627

)

 

 

(49,627

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2008

 

33,062

 

$

3,306,246

 

$

232,450

 

$

(39,330

)

$

3,499,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2008

 

35,847

 

$

3,584,720

 

$

(19,749

)

$

(134,746

)

$

3,430,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of adjustments to opening balance relating to FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2

 

 

 

 

 

349,106

 

(349,106

)

 

Proceeds from sale of capital stock

 

188

 

18,821

 

 

 

 

 

18,821

 

Repurchase/redemption of capital stock

 

(15

)

(1,548

)

 

 

 

 

(1,548

)

Reclassification of net shares from mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

25

 

2,520

 

 

 

 

 

2,520

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(83,438

)

 

 

(83,438

)

Other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(45,624

)

(45,624

)

Noncredit portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(767,653

)

(767,653

)

Accretion of noncredit portion of impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38,832

 

38,832

 

Reclassification adjustment for previously deferred hedging gains and losses included in income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(29

)

(29

)

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

124

 

Total other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(857,788

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2009

 

36,045

 

$

3,604,513

 

$

245,919

 

$

(1,258,202

)

$

2,592,230

 

 


(1)          Dividend rate is annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

 (83,438

)

$

 56,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(138,150

)

(61,712

)

Provision for credit losses on mortgage loans

 

100

 

 

Change in net fair-value adjustments on derivatives and hedging activities

 

3,428

 

7,222

 

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

126,912

 

 

Other adjustments

 

11

 

2,676

 

Net change in:

 

 

 

 

 

Market value of trading securities

 

(1,096

)

(75

)

Accrued interest receivable

 

89,894

 

108,764

 

Other assets

 

3,150

 

301

 

Net derivative accrued interest

 

30,162

 

(85,792

)

Accrued interest payable

 

(24,114

)

33,938

 

Other liabilities

 

(6,334

)

(1,024

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total adjustments

 

83,963

 

4,298

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

525

 

60,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

(8,273,048

)

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

1,500,000

 

500,000

 

Federal funds sold

 

1,640,000

 

561,000

 

Premises, software, and equipment

 

173

 

(378

)

Trading securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

 

2,308

 

11,594

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales

 

21,685

 

 

Purchases

 

 

(30,551

)

Held-to-maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in short-term

 

 

1,060,000

 

Proceeds from maturities

 

451,711

 

573,598

 

Purchases

 

 

(1,046,077

)

Advances to members:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

 

135,785,991

 

233,687,788

 

Disbursements

 

(128,416,483

)

(236,848,946

)

Mortgage loans held for portfolio:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds

 

210,406

 

139,156

 

Purchases

 

(127,227

)

(103,653

)

Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets

 

1,918

 

1,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

2,797,434

 

(1,495,387

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in deposits

 

209,166

 

605,363

 

Net proceeds on derivative contracts with a financing element

 

(4,670

)

1,858

 

Net proceeds from issuance of consolidated obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

Discount notes

 

338,164,365

 

366,199,572

 

Bonds

 

7,396,093

 

9,275,851

 

Payments for maturing and retiring consolidated obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

Discount notes

 

(339,390,397

)

(365,857,286

)

Bonds

 

(9,189,765

)

(8,883,960

)

Proceeds from issuance of capital stock

 

18,821

 

144,114

 

Payments for repurchase/redemption of capital stock

 

(1,548

)

(240

)

Cash dividends paid

 

 

(49,628

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(2,797,935

)

1,435,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

24

 

710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

 

5,735

 

6,823

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at period end

 

$

 5,759

 

$

 7,533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

 470,316

 

$

 862,797

 

AHP payments

 

$

 1,592

 

$

 2,337

 

REFCorp assessments paid

 

$

 —

 

$

 16,318

 

Non-cash transfers of mortgage loans held for portfolio to real estate owned (REO)

 

$

 2,025

 

$

 1,029

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

Background Information

 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (the Bank), a federally chartered corporation, is one of 12 district Federal Home Loan Banks (the FHLBanks). The FHLBanks serve the public by enhancing the availability of credit for residential mortgages and targeted community development. Each FHLBank operates in a specifically defined geographic territory, or district. The Bank provides a readily available, competitively priced source of funds to its member institutions and housing associates located within the six New England states which are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Certain regulated financial institutions and insurance companies with their principal places of business in the New England states and engaged in residential housing finance may apply for membership. State and local housing authorities (housing associates) that meet certain statutory criteria may also borrow from the Bank. While eligible to borrow, housing associates are not members of the Bank and, as such, are not required to hold capital stock. The Bank is a cooperative; current and former members own all of the outstanding capital stock of the Bank and may receive dividends on their investment. The Bank does not have any wholly or partially owned subsidiaries, and the Bank does not have an equity position in any partnerships, corporations, or off-balance-sheet special-purpose entities.

 

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (the Finance Agency), an independent agency in the executive branch of the U.S. government, supervises and regulates the FHLBanks and the Federal Home Loan Banks’ Office of Finance (Office of Finance).

 

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. The presentation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. The unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Bank’s audited financial statements and related notes filed in the Bank’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Note 2 — Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Interpretations

 

FSP FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (FSP FAS 157-2). On February 12, 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 157-2, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) until January 1, 2009, for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The requirements of SFAS 157 apply to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities addressed by FSP FAS 157-2 for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Bank adopted FSP FAS 157-2 on January 1, 2009. Its adoption did not have a material effect on the Banks’ financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesan Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161). On March 19, 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, which is intended to improve financial reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption allowed. The Bank’s adoption of SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009, resulted in increased financial statement disclosures. See Note 8 — Derivatives and Hedging Activities for required disclosures.

 

FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2). On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, which amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational, and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairment on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired and changes the presentation and calculation of the other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities recognized in earnings. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to the other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities. FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 expands and increases the frequency of existing disclosures about other-than-temporary impairment for debt and equity securities and requires new disclosures to help users of financial statements understand the significant inputs used in determining a credit loss, as well as a rollforward of that amount each period.

 

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For debt securities, FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 requires an entity to assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the debt security, or (b) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an other-than-temporary impairment on the security must be recognized.

 

In instances in which a determination is made that a credit loss (defined by FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis) exists but the entity does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not likely that the entity will be required to sell the debt security before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis (i.e., the amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss), FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 changes the presentation and amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in the financial statements. In these instances, the impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total impairment related to the credit loss, and (b) the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive loss. Subsequent non-other-than-temporary impairment related increases and decreases in the fair value of available-for-sale securities will be included in other comprehensive loss. The other-than-temporary impairment recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to held-to-maturity securities is accreted to the carrying value of each security on a prospective basis, over the remaining life of each security. That accretion increases the carrying value of each security and continues until this security is sold or matures, or there is an additional other-than-temporary impairment that is recognized in earnings. The total other-than-temporary impairment is presented in the statement of income with an offset for the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment that is recognized in other comprehensive loss. Previously, in all cases, if an impairment was determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment loss was recognized in earnings in an amount equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment was made. The new presentation provides additional information about the amounts that the entity does not expect to collect related to a debt security.

 

FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 is effective and should be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods ending after March 15, 2009. Early adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 also requires early adoption of FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. When adopting FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, an entity is required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption to reclassify the non-credit component of a previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive loss if the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not likely that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

 

The Bank adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of January 1, 2009, and recognized the effects of applying FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as a change in accounting principle. The Bank recognized the $349.1 million cumulative effect of initially applying FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as an adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2009, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss. The following table illustrates the effect of adoption.

 

Impact of Adopting FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2

As of January 1, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Amount prior
to Adoption

 

Effect of
Adoption

 

Amount after
Adoption

 

CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital stock — Class B — putable ($100 par value), 35,847 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008

 

$

 3,584,720

 

$

 —

 

$

 3,584,720

 

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

 

(19,749

)

349,106

 

329,357

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized loss on held-to-maturity securities

 

 

(349,106

)

(349,106

)

Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

(130,480

)

 

(130,480

)

Net unrealized loss relating to hedging activities

 

(379

)

 

(379

)

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

(3,887

)

 

(3,887

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital

 

$

 3,430,225

 

$

 —

 

$

 3,430,225

 

 

FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That are Not Orderly (FSP FAS 157-4). On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. FSP FAS 157-4 also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FSP FAS 157-4 will be applied prospectively. FSP FAS 157-4 is

 

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effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity early adopting this FSP must also early adopt FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. The Bank adopted FSP FAS 157-4 effective January 1, 2009. See Note 15 — Estimated Fair Values for further details. The Bank’s adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 did not have a material effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1). On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, which amends the disclosure requirements in FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (SFAS 107) and APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting (APB 28) to require disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments within the scope of SFAS 107, including disclosure of the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments, in interim financial statements as well as in annual financial statements. Previously, these disclosures were required only in annual financial statements. FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 is effective and should be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4 and FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. In periods after initial adoption, FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending subsequent to initial adoption and does not require earlier periods to be disclosed for comparative purposes at initial adoption. The Bank adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 on January 1, 2009. Its adoption did not have an effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. See Note 15 — Estimated Fair Values for the required disclosures.

 

Note 3 — Trading Securities

 

Major Security Types. Trading securities as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government guaranteed

 

$

26,438

 

$

26,533

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

35,546

 

36,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

61,984

 

$

63,196

 

 

Net gains on trading securities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, consist of a change in net unrealized holding gains of $1.1 million and $75,000 for securities held on March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

The Bank does not participate in speculative trading practices and holds these investments over a longer time horizon as management periodically evaluates its liquidity needs.

 

Note 4 — Available-for-Sale Securities

 

Major Security Types. Available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2009, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts Recorded in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS 133

 

Accumulated Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Value

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Cost

 

Adjustments

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supranational banks

 

$

349,695

 

$

129,459

 

$

 

$

(69,093

)

$

410,061

 

U.S. government corporations

 

213,247

 

96,011

 

 

(72,832

)

236,426

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

113,628

 

41,364

 

19

 

(26,905

)

128,106

 

 

 

676,570

 

266,834

 

19

 

(168,830

)

774,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

295,866

 

25,256

 

 

(7,293

)

313,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

972,436

 

$

292,090

 

$

19

 

$

(176,123

)

$

1,088,422

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2008, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts Recorded in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS 133

 

Accumulated Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Value

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Cost

 

Adjustments

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supranational banks

 

$

349,865

 

$

152,025

 

$

 

$

(42,906

)

$

458,984

 

U.S. government corporations

 

213,308

 

121,037

 

 

(58,489

)

275,856

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

113,636

 

50,842

 

102

 

(21,450

)

143,130

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

21,685

 

 

 

 

21,685

 

 

 

698,494

 

323,904

 

102

 

(122,845

)

899,655

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

296,113

 

26,373

 

 

(7,737

)

314,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

994,607

 

$

350,277

 

$

102

 

$

(130,582

)

$

1,214,404

 

 

The following table summarizes available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses as of March 31, 2009, which are aggregated by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supranational banks

 

$

8,803

 

$

(1,399

)

$

401,258

 

$

(67,694

)

$

410,061

 

$

(69,093

)

U.S. government corporations

 

 

 

236,426

 

(72,832

)

236,426

 

(72,832

)

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

102,997

 

(26,905

)

102,997

 

(26,905

)

 

 

8,803

 

(1,399

)

740,681

 

(167,431

)

749,484

 

(168,830

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

313,829

 

(7,293

)

313,829

 

(7,293

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired

 

$

8,803

 

$

(1,399

)

$

1,054,510

 

$

(174,724

)

$

1,063,313

 

$

(176,123

)

 

The following table summarizes available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2008, which are aggregated by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supranational banks

 

$

410,348

 

$

(38,231

)

$

48,636

 

$

(4,675

)

$

458,984

 

$

(42,906

)

U.S. government corporations

 

275,856

 

(58,489

)

 

 

275,856

 

(58,489

)

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

47,669

 

(5,433

)

70,110

 

(16,017

)

117,779

 

(21,450

)

 

 

733,873

 

(102,153

)

118,746

 

(20,692

)

852,619

 

(122,845

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

 

 

314,749

 

(7,737

)

314,749

 

(7,737

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired

 

$

733,873

 

$

(102,153

)

$

433,495

 

$

(28,429

)

$

1,167,368

 

$

(130,582

)

 

Investments in government-sponsored enterprise securities, specifically debentures issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have been affected by investor concerns regarding those entities’ capital levels that are needed to offset expected credit losses that may result from declining home prices. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) contains provisions allowing the U.S. Treasury to provide support to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Additionally, in September 2008, the U.S. Treasury and the Finance Agency placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, with the Finance Agency named as conservator. The Finance Agency will manage Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in an attempt to stabilize their financial conditions and their ability to support the secondary mortgage market.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Bank evaluates individual available-for-sale investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis. As part of this process, the Bank considers whether it intends to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that the Bank will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, the Bank recognizes an other-than-temporary impairment in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions the Bank performs an analysis to determine if any of these securities are at risk for other-than-temporary impairment. To determine which individual securities are at risk for other-than-temporary impairment and should be quantitatively evaluated utilizing a detailed cash flow analysis, the Bank uses indicators, or screens which consider various characteristics of each security including, but not limited to: the credit rating and related outlook or status; the creditworthiness of the issuers of agency debt securities; the strength of the government-sponsored enterprises’ guarantees of the holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities. The relative importance of this information varies based on the facts and circumstances surrounding each security, as well as the economic environment at the time of assessment.

 

As a result of these evaluations, the Bank determined that none of its available-for-sale securities were other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2009. The Bank’s available-for-sale securities portfolio has experienced unrealized losses and a decrease in fair value due to interest-rate volatility, illiquidity in the marketplace, and credit deterioration in the U.S. mortgage markets. However, the decline is considered temporary as the Bank expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis on these available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss position and neither intends to sell these securities and it is not likely that the Bank will be required to sell these securities before its anticipated recovery of each security’s remaining amortized cost basis.

 

Redemption Terms. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, are shown below (dollars in thousands). Expected maturities of some securities and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment fees.

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Fair

 

Amortized

 

Fair

 

Year of Maturity

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Cost

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

24,998

 

$

25,110

 

$

24,995

 

$

25,352

 

Due after one year through five years

 

 

 

21,685

 

21,685

 

Due after five years through 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

Due after 10 years

 

651,572

 

749,483

 

651,814

 

852,618

 

 

 

676,570

 

774,593

 

698,494

 

899,655

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

295,866

 

313,829

 

296,113

 

314,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

972,436

 

$

1,088,422

 

$

994,607

 

$

1,214,404

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

As of March 31, 2009, the amortized cost of the Bank’s available-for-sale securities includes net premiums of $40.3 million. Of that amount, $39.7 million relate to non-MBS and $650,000 relate to MBS. As of December 31, 2008, the amortized cost of the Bank’s available-for-sale securities includes net premiums of $40.8 million. Of that amount, $39.9 million relate to non-MBS and $897,000 relate to MBS.

 

Note 5 — Held-to-Maturity Securities

 

Major Security Types. Held-to-maturity securities as of March 31, 2009, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Recognized in
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 

Carrying
Value

 

Gross
Unrecognized
Holding
Gains

 

Gross
Unrecognized
Holding
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit

 

$

565,000

 

$

 

$

565,000

 

$

110

 

$

 

$

565,110

 

U.S. agency obligations

 

38,084

 

 

38,084

 

2,348

 

 

40,432

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

273,094

 

 

273,094

 

1,572

 

(64,451

)

210,215

 

 

 

876,178

 

 

876,178

 

4,030

 

(64,451

)

815,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government guaranteed

 

11,443

 

 

11,443

 

763

 

(36

)

12,170

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

4,170,161

 

 

4,170,161

 

117,339

 

(32,904

)

4,254,596

 

Private-label MBS

 

3,974,375

 

(1,077,927

)

2,896,448

 

 

(783,755

)

2,112,693

 

 

 

8,155,979

 

(1,077,927

)

7,078,052

 

118,102

 

(816,695

)

6,379,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

9,032,157

 

$

(1,077,927

)

$

7,954,230

 

$

122,132

 

$

(881,146

)

$

7,195,216

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2008, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit

 

$

565,000

 

$

157

 

$

 

$

565,157

 

U.S. agency obligations

 

39,995

 

1,264

 

 

41,259

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

278,128

 

735

 

(82,741

)

196,122

 

 

 

883,123

 

2,156

 

(82,741

)

802,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government guaranteed

 

11,870

 

680

 

(35

)

12,515

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

4,384,215

 

62,576

 

(87,007

)

4,359,784

 

Other

 

3,989,016

 

4

 

(1,579,075

)

2,409,945

 

 

 

8,385,101

 

63,260

 

(1,666,117

)

6,782,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

9,268,224

 

$

65,416

 

$

(1,748,858

)

$

7,584,782

 

 

The following table summarizes held-to-maturity securities with unrealized losses as of March 31, 2009, which are aggregated by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. Included in this table are investments for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (dollars in thousands).

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

$

5,951

 

$

(79

)

$

137,253

 

$

(64,372

)

$

143,204

 

$

(64,451

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government guaranteed

 

 

 

1,306

 

(36

)

1,306

 

(36

)

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

1,020,114

 

(30,944

)

8,825

 

(1,960

)

1,028,939

 

(32,904

)

Private-label MBS

 

18,805

 

(9,207

)

2,087,207

 

(1,852,562

)

2,106,012

 

(1,861,769

)

 

 

1,038,919

 

(40,151

)

2,097,338

 

(1,854,558

)

3,136,257

 

(1,894,709

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired

 

$

1,044,870

 

$

(40,230

)

$

2,234,591

 

$

(1,918,930

)

$

3,279,461

 

$

(1,959,160

)

 

The following table summarizes held-to-maturity securities with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2008, which are aggregated by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

$

41,075

 

$

(1,151

)

$

121,475

 

$

(81,590

)

$

162,550

 

$

(82,741

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government guaranteed

 

1,366

 

(35

)

 

 

1,366

 

(35

)

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

1,820,254

 

(84,509

)

25,132

 

(2,498

)

1,845,386

 

(87,007

)

Other

 

166,552

 

(121,625

)

1,892,594

 

(1,457,450

)

2,059,146

 

(1,579,075

)

 

 

1,988,172

 

(206,169

)

1,917,726

 

(1,459,948

)

3,905,898

 

(1,666,117

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired

 

$

2,029,247

 

$

(207,320

)

$

2,039,201

 

$

(1,541,538

)

$

4,068,448

 

$

(1,748,858

)

 

Investments in government-sponsored enterprise securities, specifically debentures issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have been affected by investor concerns regarding those entities’ capital levels needed to offset expected credit losses that may result from declining home prices. HERA contains provisions allowing the U.S. Treasury to provide support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, in September 2008 the U.S. Treasury and the Finance Agency placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, with the Finance Agency named as conservator. The Finance Agency will manage Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in an attempt to stabilize their financial conditions and their ability to support the secondary mortgage market.

 

The Bank evaluates individual held-to-maturity investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. As part of this process, the Bank considers whether it intends to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that the Bank will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, the Bank recognizes an other-than-temporary impairment in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, the Bank performs an analysis to determine if any of these securities are at risk for other-than-temporary impairment. To effect consistency among the FHLBanks, the Bank uses estimated cash flows based on key modeling assumptions provided by the FHLBank of San Francisco for its residential private-label MBS other than subprime private-label MBS. To effect consistency among the FHLBanks that have subprime private-label MBS, the FHLBanks, including the Bank, have selected the FHLBank of Chicago’s platform, and the FHLBank of Chicago has provided the Bank with the key modeling assumptions for such private-label MBS and also has run the cash flow analysis for the Bank as the Bank does not have the platform necessary to mirror the FHLBank of Chicago’s loan-level analysis of such securities. In the event that the FHLBank of Chicago does not have the ability to model a particular subprime MBS owned by the Bank, the latter will project the expected cash flows for that security based on the Bank’s expectations as to how the underlying collateral and impact on deal structure resultant from collateral cash flows are forecasted to occur over time. The Bank continues to define the modeling assumptions and run the cash flow analysis for commercial private-label MBS.

 

The difference between this estimate of the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis is considered the credit loss. To determine which individual securities are at risk for other-than-temporary impairment and should be quantitatively evaluated utilizing a detailed cash flow analysis, the Bank uses indicators, or screens selected by the FHLBank of San Francisco, Chicago or the Bank based on the type of private-label MBS with such estimations based on either the FHLBank of San Francisco, Chicago or our assumptions as applicable, which consider various characteristics of each security including, but not limited to: the credit rating and related outlook or status; the creditworthiness of the issuers of the agency debt securities; the strength of the government-sponsored enterprises’ guarantees of the holdings of agency MBS; the underlying type of collateral; the duration and level of the unrealized loss; any credit enhancements or insurance; and certain other collateral-related characteristics such as FICO® credit scores, delinquency rates and the security’s performance. The relative importance of this information varies based on the facts and circumstances surrounding each security, as well as the economic environment at the time of assessment.

 

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As a result of this security-level review, the Bank identifies individual securities which should be subjected to a detailed cash flow analysis to determine the cash flows that are likely to be collected. At-risk securities are evaluated by estimating projected cash flows that the Bank is likely to collect based on an assessment of all available information about each individual security, the structure of the security and certain assumptions, such as the remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity on the collateral supporting the Bank’s security, based on underlying loan level borrower and loan characteristics, expected housing price changes, and interest-rate assumptions, to determine whether the Bank will recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. A significant input to such analysis is the forecast of housing price changes for the relevant states and metropolitan statistical areas, which are based on an assessment of the relevant housing market. In response to the ongoing deterioration in housing prices, credit market stress, and weakness in the U.S. economy in the first quarter of 2009, which continued to affect the credit quality of the collateral, the Bank modified certain assumptions in its cash flow analysis to reflect more extreme loss severities and more moderate rates of housing price recovery than it used in its analysis as of December 31, 2008. The loan level cash flows and losses are allocated to various security classes, including the security classes owned by the Bank, based on the cash flow and loss allocation rules of the individual security. In performing a detailed cash flow analysis, the Bank identifies its best estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected. If this estimate results in a present value of expected cash flows (discounted at the security’s effective yield) that is less than the amortized cost basis of a security (that is, a credit loss exists), an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred.

 

As a result of these evaluations, at March 31, 2009, the Bank recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses related to MBS instruments in its held-to-maturity portfolio, as further described in this footnote. The Bank determined that it was likely that it would not recover the entire amortized cost of each of these securities. These securities included 17 securities, representing an aggregate par amount of $689.0 million at March 31, 2009, that had previously been identified as other-than-temporarily impaired in 2008 and 50 securities, representing an aggregate par amount of $1.5 billion at March 31, 2009, that were identified as other-than-temporarily impaired in the first quarter of 2009. Because of continued credit deterioration in the non-agency mortgage-backed securities market, an additional impairment of $45.7 million related to credit loss and an additional impairment of $7.9 million related to all other factors were recorded in the first quarter of 2009 on the 17 non-agency MBS previously identified as other-than-temporarily impaired. For the 50 newly identified non-agency MBS with other-than-temporary impairment, the Bank recorded an impairment of $81.2 million related to credit loss and an impairment of $759.8 million related to all other factors. The Bank does not intend to sell these securities and it is not likely that the Bank will be required to sell these securities before its anticipated recovery of each security’s remaining amortized cost basis.

 

The Bank recognized total other-than-temporary impairment charges of $126.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 related to the credit losses on MBS instruments in its held-to-maturity portfolio, which are reported in the statement of income as net impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities recognized in earnings, and the impairment related to noncredit portion of $767.7 million, which was reflected in the statement of condition as accumulated other comprehensive loss — net noncredit portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities. The other-than-temporary impairment recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to held-to-maturity securities is accreted to the carrying value of each security on a prospective basis, over the remaining life of each security. That accretion increases the carrying value of each security and continues until this security is sold or matures, or there is an additional other-than-temporary impairment that is recognized in earnings.

 

The provisions of FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 are effective in the second quarter of 2009; however, as permitted under the pronouncement, the Bank early adopted on January 1, 2009. Had the Bank not adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 the Bank would have recognized the entire other-than-temporary impairment amount in net income during the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

The following table displays the Bank’s securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was recognized based on the Bank’s impairment analysis of its investment portfolio at March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

At March 31, 2009

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

Other-Than-
Temporary

 

Other-Than-
Temporary

 

 

 

 

 

Par Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Impairment
Related to Credit
Loss

 

Impairment
Related to Non-
Credit Loss

 

Total
Impairment
Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired Investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS — Alt-A

 

$

2,147,368

 

$

1,983,040

 

$

(1,076,863

)

$

906,177

 

$

(126,902

)

$

(766,894

)

$

(893,796

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loans - Subprime

 

1,407

 

1,397

 

(759

)

638

 

(10

)

(759

)

(769

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other-than-temporarily impaired securities

 

$

2,148,775

 

$

1,984,437

 

$

(1,077,622

)

$

906,815

 

$

(126,912

)

$

(767,653

)

$

(894,565

)

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table presents a roll-forward of the amounts related to credit losses recognized into earnings. The roll-forward relates to the amount of credit losses on investment securities held by the Bank for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment charge was recognized into accumulated other comprehensive loss (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

For the Three
Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2009 (1)

 

$

32,638

 

 

 

 

 

Credit losses for which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized

 

81,204

 

 

 

 

 

Additional other-than-temporary impairment credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment charge was previously recognized

 

45,708

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2009

 

$

159,550

 

 


(1)          The Bank adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of January 1, 2009, and recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying FSP 115-2 and 124-2, totaling $349.1 million, as an adjustment to the retained earnings balance at January 1, 2009, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss. Credit losses remaining in retained earnings upon the adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 totaled $32.6 million.

 

Redemption Terms. The amortized cost, carrying value and estimated fair value of held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, are shown below (dollars in thousands). Expected maturities of some securities and MBS may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment fees.

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Amortized

 

Fair

 

Year of Maturity

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Value

 

Cost (1)

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

565,835

 

$

565,835

 

$

565,971

 

$

565,000

 

$

565,157

 

Due after one year through five years

 

5,745

 

5,745

 

5,909

 

6,653

 

6,834

 

Due after five years through 10 years

 

56,182

 

56,182

 

58,201

 

42,771

 

42,612

 

Due after 10 years

 

248,416

 

248,416

 

185,676

 

268,699

 

187,935

 

 

 

876,178

 

876,178

 

815,757

 

883,123

 

802,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

8,155,979

 

7,078,052

 

6,379,459

 

8,385,101

 

6,782,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

9,032,157

 

$

7,954,230

 

$

7,195,216

 

$

9,268,224

 

$

7,584,782

 

 


(1)          At December 31, 2008, carrying value equaled amortized cost.

 

As of March 31, 2009, the amortized cost of the Bank’s held-to-maturity securities includes net discounts of $1.3 billion. Of that amount, $249,000 relate to non-MBS and $1.3 billion relate to MBS. As of December 31, 2008, the amortized cost of the Bank’s held-to-maturity securities includes net discounts of $408.5 million. Of that amount, $258,000 relate to non-MBS and $408.2 million relate to MBS. The net discount on MBS includes the other-than-temporary impairment loss recorded on December 31, 2008, totaling $381.7 million.

 

For held-to-maturity securities, the portion of an other-than-temporary impairment charge that is recognized in other comprehensive loss is accreted from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the carrying value of the security over the remaining life of the security in a prospective manner based on the amount and timing of future estimated cash flows. This accretion continues until the security is sold or matures, or an additional other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded in earnings, which would result in a reclassification adjustment and the establishment of a new amount to be accreted. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the

 

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Table of Contents

 

Bank accreted $38.8 million of noncredit impairment from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the carrying value of held to maturity securities.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Bank also accreted $236,000 into interest income for debt securities for which impairment charges were recorded in earnings. The difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income prospectively over the life of the security as an adjustment to the yield.

 

Note 6 — Advances

 

Redemption Terms. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had advances outstanding, including AHP advances at interest rates ranging from zero percent to 8.44 percent, as summarized below (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Year of Contractual Maturity

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrawn demand-deposit accounts

 

$

6,213

 

0.68

%

$

28,444

 

0.46

%

Due in one year or less

 

26,280,225

 

1.56

 

32,363,291

 

2.42

 

Due after one year through two years

 

5,441,142

 

4.18

 

5,418,310

 

4.23

 

Due after two years through three years

 

4,088,784

 

3.14

 

4,953,624

 

3.27

 

Due after three years through four years

 

2,841,649

 

3.94

 

2,507,092

 

4.30

 

Due after four years through five years

 

4,489,691

 

2.32

 

5,119,387

 

2.43

 

Thereafter

 

5,312,810

 

4.08

 

5,439,874

 

4.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

48,460,514

 

2.47

%

55,830,022

 

2.92

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

7,908

 

 

 

9,279

 

 

 

Discounts

 

(20,438

)

 

 

(20,883

)

 

 

SFAS 133 hedging adjustments

 

985,338

 

 

 

1,107,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

49,433,322

 

 

 

$

56,926,267

 

 

 

 

The Bank offers advances to members that may be prepaid on pertinent dates (call dates) without incurring prepayment or termination fees (callable advances). Other advances may only be prepaid by paying a fee to the Bank (prepayment fee) that makes the Bank financially indifferent to the prepayment of the advance. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had callable advances outstanding totaling $4.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes advances at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by year of contractual maturity or next call date for callable advances (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrawn demand-deposit accounts

 

$

6,213

 

%

$

28,444

 

%

Due in one year or less

 

26,280,225

 

54.2

 

32,368,791

 

58.0

 

Due after one year through two years

 

5,441,142

 

11.2

 

5,418,310

 

9.7

 

Due after two years through three years

 

4,092,784

 

8.4

 

4,948,124

 

8.9

 

Due after three years through four years

 

2,841,649

 

5.9

 

2,507,092

 

4.5

 

Due after four years through five years

 

4,485,691

 

9.3

 

5,119,387

 

9.2

 

Thereafter

 

5,312,810

 

11.0

 

5,439,874

 

9.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

48,460,514

 

100.0

%

$

55,830,022

 

100.0

%

 

The Bank also offers putable advances. With a putable advance, the Bank has the right to terminate the advance at predetermined exercise dates, which the Bank typically would exercise when interest rates increase, and the borrower may then apply for a new advance at the prevailing market rate. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had putable advances outstanding totaling $9.0 billion and $9.3 billion, respectively.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes advances outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by year of contractual maturity or next put date for putable advances (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Put Date

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrawn demand-deposit accounts

 

$

6,213

 

%

$

28,444

 

%

Due in one year or less

 

32,878,950

 

67.8

 

39,061,566

 

70.0

 

Due after one year through two years

 

4,276,542

 

8.8

 

4,529,960

 

8.1

 

Due after two years through three years

 

4,202,484

 

8.7

 

4,906,824

 

8.8

 

Due after three years through four years

 

1,687,349

 

3.5

 

1,599,042

 

2.9

 

Due after four years through five years

 

4,048,441

 

8.4

 

4,277,587

 

7.7

 

Thereafter

 

1,360,535

 

2.8

 

1,426,599

 

2.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

48,460,514

 

100.0

%

$

55,830,022

 

100.0

%

 

Security Terms. The Bank lends to its members and housing associates chartered within the six New England states in accordance with federal statutes, including the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932 (FHLBank Act). The FHLBank Act generally requires the Bank to obtain eligible collateral on advances sufficient to protect against losses and permits the Bank to accept the following as eligible collateral on such advances: residential mortgage loans; certain U.S. government or government-agency securities; cash or deposits, and other eligible real-estate-related assets. The capital stock of the Bank owned by each borrowing member is pledged as additional collateral for the member’s indebtedness to the Bank. Notwithstanding the FHLBank Act’s general requirements regarding the eligibility of collateral, Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) are eligible, under expanded statutory collateral rules, to pledge as collateral for advances small business, small farm, and small agriculture loans fully secured by collateral other than real estate, or securities representing a whole interest in such secured loans. CFIs are institutions that have, as of the date of the transaction at issue, less than $1.0 billion in average total assets over the three years preceding that date. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had rights to collateral, on a member-by-member basis, with an estimated value greater than outstanding advances.

 

Credit Risk. While the Bank has never experienced a credit loss on an advance to a member or borrower, weakening economic conditions, severe credit market conditions along with the expanded statutory collateral rules for CFIs and housing associates provides the potential for additional credit risk for the Bank. Management of the Bank has policies and procedures in place to manage this credit risk. Based on these policies and procedures, the Bank does not expect any losses on advances. Therefore, the Bank has not provided any allowance for losses on advances. The Bank’s credit risk from advances is concentrated in commercial banks, savings institutions, and credit unions.

 

Related-Party Activities. The Bank defines related parties as those members whose ownership of the Bank’s capital stock is in excess of 10 percent of the Bank’s total capital stock outstanding. The following table presents advances outstanding to related parties and total accrued interest receivable from those advances as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Par
Value of
Advances

 

Percent
of Total
Advances

 

Total Accrued
Interest
Receivable

 

Percent of Total
Accrued Interest
Receivable on
Advances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RBS Citizens N.A., Providence, RI

 

$

11,113,964

 

22.9

%

$

3,891

 

2.7

%

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A., Providence, RI

 

10,695,620

 

22.1

 

51,359

 

35.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A., Providence, RI

 

$

14,200,378

 

25.4

%

$

117,316

 

52.0

%

RBS Citizens N.A., Providence, RI

 

11,409,138

 

20.4

 

15,422

 

6.8

 

 

The Bank held sufficient collateral to cover advances to the above institutions such that the Bank does not expect to incur any credit losses on these advances.

 

The Bank recognized interest income on outstanding advances with the above members during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Name

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A., Providence, RI

 

$

58,697

 

$

245,452

 

RBS Citizens N.A., Providence, RI

 

21,451

 

79,453

 

 

The following table presents an analysis of advances activity with related parties for the three months ended March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Balance at

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009

 

Balance at

 

 

 

December 31,
2008

 

Disbursements to
Members

 

Payments from
Members

 

March 31,
2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RBS Citizens N.A., Providence, RI

 

$

11,409,138

 

$

12,040,000

 

$

(12,335,174

)

$

11,113,964

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A., Providence, RI

 

14,200,378

 

6,843,810

 

(10,348,568

)

10,695,620

 

 

Interest-Rate-Payment Terms. The following table details additional interest-rate-payment terms for advances at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Par amount of advances

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate

 

$

43,770,174

 

$

49,880,620

 

Variable-rate

 

4,690,340

 

5,949,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

48,460,514

 

$

55,830,022

 

 

Variable-rate advances noted in the above table include advances outstanding at both March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, totaling $223.5 million, which contain embedded interest-rate caps or floors.

 

Note 7 — Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio
 

Under the Bank’s Mortgage Partnership Finance®(MPF®) program, the Bank invests in fixed-rate single-family mortgages that are purchased from participating members. All mortgages are held-for-portfolio. Under the MPF program, the Bank’s members originate, service, and credit-enhance residential real estate mortgages that are sold to the Bank.

 

The following table presents mortgage loans held for portfolio as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Real estate

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate 15-year single-family mortgages

 

$

988,705

 

$

1,027,058

 

Fixed-rate 20- and 30-year single-family mortgages

 

3,060,448

 

3,107,424

 

Premiums

 

31,058

 

32,476

 

Discounts

 

(11,244

)

(11,576

)

Deferred derivative gains and losses, net

 

(1,701

)

(1,495

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans held for portfolio

 

4,067,266

 

4,153,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: allowance for credit losses

 

(450

)

(350

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses

 

$

4,066,816

 

$

4,153,537

 

 

The following table details the par value of mortgage loans held for portfolio at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 


“Mortgage Partnership Finance,” “MPF,”  “eMPF” and “MPF Xtra” are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

 

16



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March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conventional loans

 

$

3,677,520

 

$

3,755,215

 

Government-insured or guaranteed loans

 

371,633

 

379,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

4,049,153

 

$

4,134,482

 

 

An analysis of the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

350

 

$

125

 

Provision for credit losses

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

450

 

$

125

 

 

Mortgage loans, other than those included in large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the mortgage-loan agreement. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had no recorded investments in impaired mortgage loans. Mortgage loans on nonaccrual status at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, totaled $26.4 million and $21.3 million, respectively. The Bank’s mortgage-loan portfolio is geographically diversified on a national basis. There is no material concentration of delinquent loans in any geographic region. REO at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, totaled $3.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively. REO is recorded on the statement of condition in other assets.

 

Sale of REO Assets. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank sold REO assets with a recorded carrying value of $1.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Upon sale of these properties, and inclusive of any proceeds received from primary mortgage-insurance coverage, the Bank recognized net gains totaling $51,000 and $9,000 on the sale of REO assets during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Gains and losses on the sale of REO assets are recorded in other income.

 

Note 8 — Derivatives and Hedging Activities

 

The Bank adopted SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009. SFAS 161 improves financial reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The Bank’s adoption of SFAS 161 resulted in increased financial statement disclosures.

 

Accounting for derivatives is addressed in the SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS No. 137, Accounting for Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities—Deferral of Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133, SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, and SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). All derivatives are recognized on the statement of condition at fair value. Due to the application of the FASB FSP No. FIN 39-1, Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39 (FSP FIN 39-1), derivative assets and derivative liabilities reported on the statement of condition include the net cash collateral and accrued interest from counterparties.

 

      In accordance with SFAS 133 each derivative is designated as one of the following:

 

(1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment (a fair-value hedge);

 

(2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows that are to be received or paid in connection with a recognized asset or liability (a cash-flow hedge);

 

(3) a nonqualifying hedge of an asset or liability (economic hedge) for asset-liability-management purposes; or

 

(4) a nonqualifying hedge of another derivative (an intermediation instrument) that is offered as a product to members or used to offset other derivatives with nonmember counterparties.

 

Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk (including changes that reflect losses or gains on firm commitments), are recorded in other income as net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.

 

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Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge, to the extent that the hedge is effective, are recorded in other comprehensive loss, a component of capital, until earnings are affected by the variability of the cash flows of the hedged transaction.

 

For both fair-value and cash-flow hedges, any hedge ineffectiveness (which represents the amount by which the changes in the fair value of the derivative differ from the change in the fair value of the hedged item or the variability in the cash flows of the forecasted transaction) is recorded in other income as net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.

 

An economic hedge is defined as a derivative hedging specific or nonspecific assets, liabilities, or firm commitments that does not qualify or was not designated for hedge accounting, but is an acceptable hedging strategy under the Bank’s risk-management policy. These economic hedging strategies also comply with Finance Agency regulatory requirements prohibiting speculative hedge transactions. An economic hedge by definition introduces the potential for earnings variability caused by the changes in fair value of the derivatives that are recorded in income but not offset by corresponding changes in the value of the economically hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments. As a result, the Bank recognizes only the net interest and the change in fair value of these derivatives in other income as net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities with no offsetting fair-value adjustments for the assets, liabilities, or firm commitments. Cash flows associated with such stand-alone derivatives (derivatives not qualifying as a hedge) are reflected as cash flows from operating activities in the statement of cash flows.

 

The derivatives used in intermediary activities do not qualify for SFAS 133 hedge accounting treatment and are separately marked-to-market through earnings. The net result of the accounting for these derivatives does not significantly affect the operating results of the Bank. These amounts are recorded in other income as net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.

 

The differential between accrual of interest receivable and payable on derivatives designated as fair-value or cash-flow hedges are recognized as adjustments to the interest income or interest expense of the designated hedged investment securities, advances, COs, or other financial instruments. The differential between accrual of interest receivable and payable on intermediated derivatives for members and other economic hedges are recognized in other income. Therefore, both the net interest on the stand-alone derivative and the fair-value changes are recorded in other income as net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.

 

The Bank may issue debt, make advances, or purchase financial instruments in which a derivative instrument is embedded. Upon execution of these transactions, the Bank assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the advance or debt (the host contract) and whether a separate, nonembedded instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When the Bank determines that (1) the embedded derivative has economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and (2) a separate, stand-alone instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is separated from the host contract, carried at fair value, and designated as a stand-alone derivative instrument. If the entire contract (the host contract and the embedded derivative) is to be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in current earnings (for example, an investment security classified as trading under SFAS 115, as well as hybrid financial instruments accounted for under SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140 (SFAS 155), or if the Bank cannot reliably identify and measure the embedded derivative for purposes of separating that derivative from its host contract, the entire contract is carried on the statement of condition at fair value and no portion of the contract is designated as a hedging instrument. The Bank has determined that all embedded derivatives in currently outstanding transactions as of March 31, 2009, are clearly and closely related to the host contracts, and therefore no embedded derivatives have been bifurcated.

 

If hedging relationships meet certain criteria specified in SFAS 133, they are eligible for hedge accounting and the offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items may be recorded in earnings. The application of hedge accounting generally requires the Bank to evaluate the effectiveness of the hedging relationships on an ongoing basis and to calculate the changes in fair value of the derivatives and related hedged items independently. This is known as the long-haul method of accounting. Transactions that meet more stringent criteria qualify for the shortcut method of hedge accounting in which an assumption can be made that the change in fair value of a hedged item exactly offsets the change in fair value of the related derivative.

 

Derivatives are typically executed at the same time as the hedged advances or COs and the Bank designates the hedged item in a qualifying hedge relationship as of the trade date. In many hedging relationships that use the shortcut method, the Bank may designate the hedging relationship upon its commitment to disburse an advance or trade a CO that settles within the shortest period of time possible for the type of instrument based on market-settlement conventions. In such circumstances, although the advance or CO will not be recognized in the financial statements until settlement date, the hedge meets the criteria within SFAS 133 for applying the shortcut method, provided all the other criteria of SFAS 133 paragraph 68 are also met. The Bank then records changes in fair value of the derivative and the hedged item beginning on the trade date.

 

The Bank may discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when: (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item (including hedged items such as firm commitments or forecasted transactions); (2) the derivative and/or the hedged item expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (3) it is no longer probable that the

 

18



Table of Contents

 

forecasted transaction will occur in the originally expected period; (4) a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment; or (5) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument in accordance with SFAS 133 is no longer appropriate.

 

When hedge accounting is discontinued because the Bank determines that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair-value hedge of an existing hedged item, the Bank continues to carry the derivative on the statement of condition at its fair value, ceases to adjust the hedged asset or liability for changes in fair value, and begins to amortize the cumulative basis adjustment on the hedged item into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item using the level-yield method.

 

When hedge accounting is discontinued because the Bank determines that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective cash-flow hedge of an existing hedged item, the Bank continues to carry the derivative on the statement of condition at its fair value and amortizes the cumulative other comprehensive loss adjustment to earnings when earnings are affected by the existing hedged item, which is the original forecasted transaction.

 

Under limited circumstances, when the Bank discontinues cash-flow hedge accounting because it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur in the originally expected period plus the following two months, but it is probable that the transaction will still occur in the future, the gain or loss on the derivative remains in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is recognized in earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. However, if it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within two months after that, the gain and loss that were accumulated in other comprehensive loss are recognized immediately in earnings.

 

When hedge accounting is discontinued because the hedged item no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, the Bank continues to carry the derivative on the statement of condition at its fair value, removing from the statement of condition any asset or liability that was recorded to recognize the firm commitment and recording it as a gain or loss in current period earnings.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank recorded net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities totaling $24,000 and $(4.3) million, respectively, in other income. The components of net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Derivatives and hedged items in SFAS 133 fair value hedging relationships:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate swaps

 

$

465

 

$

1,698

 

Total net gain related to fair value hedge ineffectiveness

 

465

 

1,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

 

 

 

 

 

Economic hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate swaps

 

(408

)

(5,704

)

Interest-rate caps or floors

 

(40

)

(27

)

Mortgage-delivery commitments

 

7

 

(273

)

Total net loss related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133

 

(441

)

(6,004

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities

 

$

24

 

$

(4,306

)

 

The following table presents, by type of hedged item, the gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair-value hedging relationships and the impact of those derivatives on the Bank’s net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss) on
Derivative

 

Gain/(Loss) on
Hedged Item

 

Net Fair Value
Hedge
Ineffectiveness

 

Effect of
Derivatives on
Net Interest
Income (1)

 

Hedged Item Type:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

$

114,271

 

$

(115,917

)

$

(1,646

)

$

(87,514

)

Investments

 

58,136

 

(58,458

)

(322

)

(10,592

)

Deposits

 

(341

)

341

 

 

334

 

Consolidated obligations - bonds

 

(51,322

)

53,457

 

2,135

 

(47,008

)

Consolidated obligations - discount notes

 

(912

)

1,210

 

298

 

(978

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 119,832

 

$

(119,367

)

$

465

 

$

(145,758

)

 

19



Table of Contents

 


(1)   The net interest on derivatives in fair-value hedge relationships is presented in the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item in the statement of income.

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss) on
Derivative

 

Gain/(Loss) on
Hedged Item

 

Net Fair Value
Hedge
Ineffectiveness

 

Effect of
Derivatives on
Net Interest
Income (1)

 

Hedged Item:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

$

(361,068

)

$

360,941

 

$

(127

)

$

(3,756

)

Investments

 

(51,524

)

51,713

 

189

 

(4,064

)

Deposits

 

914

 

(914

)

 

168

 

Consolidated obligations - bonds

 

145,153

 

(143,560

)

1,593

 

(23,643

)

Consolidated obligations - discount notes

 

3,420

 

(3,377

)

43

 

(1,283

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 (263,105

)

$

264,803

 

$

1,698

 

$

(32,578

)

 


(1)   The net interest on derivatives in fair-value hedge relationships is presented in the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item in the statement of income.

 

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments as of March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Notional
Amount of
Derivatives

 

Derivative
Assets

 

Derivative
Liabilities

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate swaps

 

$

30,001,661

 

$

415,964

 

$

(1,408,827

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate swaps

 

157,750

 

 

(8,810

)

Interest-rate caps or floors

 

66,500

 

682

 

(385

)

Mortgage-delivery commitments (1)

 

20,634

 

45

 

(38

)

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133

 

244,884

 

727

 

(9,233

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total notional amount of derivatives

 

$

30,246,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives before netting and collateral adjustments

 

 

 

416,691

 

(1,418,060

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netting adjustments

 

 

 

(362,809

)

362,809

 

Cash collateral and related accrued interest

 

 

 

(25,144

)

 

Total collateral and netting adjustments (2)

 

 

 

(387,953

)

362,809

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets and derivative liabilities as reported on the statement of condition

 

 

 

$

28,738

 

$

(1,055,251

)

 


(1)          Mortgage-delivery commitments are classified as derivatives pursuant to SFAS No.149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 149) with changes in fair value recorded in other income.

(2)          Amounts represent the effect of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow the Bank to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral held or placed with counterparties.

 

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

20



Table of Contents

 

 

 

Notional
Amount of
Derivatives

 

Derivative
Assets

 

Derivative
Liabilities

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate swaps

 

$

30,543,713

 

$

486,743

 

$

(1,576,468

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate swaps

 

157,750

 

 

(8,856

)

Interest-rate caps or floors

 

81,500

 

688

 

(367

)

Interest-rate futures / forwards

 

10,000

 

 

(133

)

Mortgage-delivery commitments (1)

 

32,672

 

4

 

(369

)

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS 133

 

281,922

 

692

 

(9,725

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total notional amount of derivatives

 

$

30,825,635

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives before netting and collateral adjustments

 

 

 

487,435

 

(1,586,193

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netting adjustments

 

 

 

(439,818

)

439,818

 

Cash collateral and related accrued interest

 

 

 

(18,682

)

(27,419

)

Total collateral and netting adjustments (2)

 

 

 

(458,500

)

412,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets and derivative liabilities as reported on the statement of condition

 

 

 

$

28,935

 

$

(1,173,794

)

 


(1)          Mortgage-delivery commitments are classified as derivatives pursuant to SFAS 149 with changes in fair value recorded in other income.

(2)          Amounts represent the effect of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow the Bank to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral held or placed with counterparties.

 

Credit Risk. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank’s credit risk on derivatives as measured by current replacement cost net of cash collateral received and accrued interest was approximately $28.7 million and $28.9 million, respectively. These totals include $16.4 million and $5.1 million of net accrued interest receivable, respectively. In determining current replacement cost, the Bank considers accrued interest receivable and payable, and the legal right to offset derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty. The Bank held cash of $25.1 million and $46.1 million as collateral as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

Certain of the Bank’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require the Bank to post additional collateral with its counterparties if there is deterioration in the Bank’s credit rating. If the Bank’s credit rating is lowered by a major credit-rating agency, we would be required to deliver additional collateral on derivative instruments in a net liability position. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position at March 31, 2009, was $1.1 billion for which the Bank has posted post-haircut collateral with a value of $689.5 million in the normal course of business. If the Bank’s credit rating had been lowered from its current rating to the next lower rating that would have triggered additional collateral to be delivered, the Bank would have been required to deliver up to an additional $297.0 million of post-haircut-valued collateral to our derivatives counterparties at March 31, 2009. However, the Bank’s credit rating has not change during the previous 12 months.

 

The Bank executes derivatives with counterparties with long-term ratings of single-A (or equivalent) or better by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) at the time of the transaction. Some of these counterparties or their affiliates buy, sell, and distribute COs. See Note 10 — Consolidated Obligations for additional information. Also Note 16 — Commitments and Contingencies discusses assets pledged by the Bank to these counterparties. The Bank is not a derivatives dealer and does not trade derivatives for short-term profit.

 

Related-Party Activities. The following table presents an analysis of outstanding derivative contracts with related parties or affiliates of related parties at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Derivatives Counterparty

 

Affiliate Member

 

Primary
Relationship

 

Notional
Amount

 

Percent of
total
Derivatives

 

Notional
Amount

 

Percent of
total
Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America, N.A.

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A.

 

Dealer

 

$

2,862,025

 

9.47

%

$

3,083,587

 

10.01

%

Royal Bank of Scotland, PLC

 

RBS Citizens, N.A.

 

Dealer

 

1,304,260

 

4.32

 

1,451,760

 

4.71

 

Bank of America Securities, LLC

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A.

 

Dealer

 

 

 

10,000

 

0.03

 

 

Note 9 — Deposits

 

The Bank offers demand and overnight deposits for members and qualifying nonmembers. In addition, the Bank offers short-term interest-bearing deposit programs to members. Members that service mortgage loans may deposit in the Bank funds collected in connection with mortgage loans pending disbursement of such funds to the owners of the mortgage loans; the Bank classifies these items as other in the following table.

 

The following table details interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing deposits as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Interest bearing

 

 

 

 

 

Demand and overnight

 

$

766,881

 

$

529,516

 

Term

 

31,141

 

67,353

 

Other

 

3,146

 

3,612

 

Non-interest bearing

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

39,682

 

10,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deposits

 

$

840,850

 

$

611,070

 

 

Note 10 — Consolidated Obligations

 

COs consist of CO bonds and CO discount notes. The FHLBanks issue COs through the Office of Finance, which serves as their fiscal agent. In connection with each debt issuance, each FHLBank specifies the amount of debt it wants issued on its behalf. The Office of Finance tracks the amount of debt issued on behalf of each FHLBank. In addition, the Bank separately tracks and records as a liability its specific portion of COs for which it is the primary obligor. The Finance Agency and the U.S. Treasury have oversight over the issuance of FHLBank debt through the Office of Finance. CO bonds are issued primarily to raise intermediate and long-term funds for the FHLBanks and are not subject to any statutory or regulatory limits on maturity. CO discount notes are issued to raise short-term funds. These notes sell at less than the face amount and are redeemed at par value when they mature. See Note 16 — Commitments and Contingencies for discussion of the U.S. Treasury’s establishment of the Government Sponsored Enterprise Credit Facility (GSECF), which is designed to serve as a contingent source of liquidity for the 12 FHLBanks through issuance of COs to the U.S. Treasury.

 

Interest-Rate-Payment Terms. The following table details CO bonds by interest-rate-payment type at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Par value of CO bonds

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate bonds

 

$

24,874,615

 

$

28,151,315

 

Simple variable-rate bonds

 

4,987,000

 

3,050,000

 

Zero-coupon bonds

 

1,100,000

 

1,780,000

 

Step-up bonds

 

 

350,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

30,961,615

 

$

33,331,315

 

 

Redemption Terms. The following is a summary of the Bank’s participation in CO bonds outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by year of contractual maturity (dollars in thousands):

 

22



Table of Contents

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Average

 

Year of Contractual Maturity

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

12,124,875

 

2.40

%

$

15,200,275

 

2.85

%

Due after one year through two years

 

7,473,810

 

2.69

 

5,338,110

 

3.49

 

Due after two years through three years

 

2,475,050

 

3.48

 

2,598,350

 

3.87

 

Due after three years through four years

 

2,052,880

 

4.17

 

1,735,580

 

4.70

 

Due after four years through five years

 

2,237,300

 

3.92

 

2,454,000

 

4.06

 

Thereafter

 

4,597,700

 

5.44

 

6,005,000

 

5.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

30,961,615

 

3.24

%

33,331,315

 

3.71

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

72,195

 

 

 

80,586

 

 

 

Discounts

 

(940,086

)

 

 

(1,481,762

)

 

 

SFAS 133 hedging adjustments

 

270,850

 

 

 

323,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

30,364,574

 

 

 

$

32,254,002

 

 

 

 

The Bank’s CO bonds outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, included (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Par value of CO bonds

 

 

 

 

 

Noncallable or non-putable

 

$

24,580,615

 

$

23,940,315

 

Callable

 

6,381,000

 

9,391,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

30,961,615

 

$

33,331,315

 

 

The following table summarizes CO bonds outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by year of contractual maturity or next call date (dollars in thousands):

 

Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

16,844,875

 

$

19,800,275

 

Due after one year through two years

 

6,954,810

 

5,959,110

 

Due after two years through three years

 

1,765,050

 

2,258,350

 

Due after three years through four years

 

1,477,880

 

1,230,580

 

Due after four years through five years

 

1,726,300

 

1,878,000

 

Thereafter

 

2,192,700

 

2,205,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

30,961,615

 

$

33,331,315

 

 

Consolidated Obligation Discount Notes.

 

The Bank’s participation in CO discount notes, all of which are due within one year, was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Book Value

 

Par Value

 

Rate (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

$

41,147,285

 

$

41,180,560

 

0.56

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

$

42,472,266

 

$

42,567,305

 

1.59

%

 


(1)          The CO discount notes’ weighted-average rate represents a yield to maturity.

 

Note 11— Affordable Housing Program

 

The Bank charges the amount set aside for AHP to income and recognizes it as a liability. The Bank then reduces the AHP liability as members use subsidies. The Bank had outstanding principal in AHP-related advances of $86.2 million for both March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

The following table is an analysis of the AHP liability for the three months ended March 31, 2009, and the year ended December 31, 2008, (dollars in thousands):

 

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Table of Contents

 

Roll-forward of the AHP Liability

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2009

 

Year Ended
December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

34,815

 

$

48,451

 

AHP expense for the period

 

 

 

AHP direct grant disbursements

 

(1,592

)

(11,400

)

AHP subsidy for below-market-rate advance disbursements

 

(195

)

(2,479

)

Return of previously disbursed grants and subsidies

 

48

 

243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of the period

 

$

33,076

 

$

34,815

 

 

Note 12 — Capital

 

The Bank is subject to three capital requirements under its capital structure plan and Finance Agency rules and regulations. The Bank must maintain at all times:

 

1.               Permanent capital in an amount at least equal to the sum of its credit-risk capital requirement, its market-risk capital requirement, and its operations-risk capital requirement, calculated in accordance with Bank policy and Finance Agency rules and regulations. Only permanent capital, defined as Class B stock and retained earnings, satisfies this risk-based capital requirement. The Finance Agency may require the Bank to maintain a greater amount of permanent capital than is required as defined by the risk-based capital requirements.

 

2.               At least a four percent total capital-to-assets ratio. Total capital is the sum of permanent capital, any general loss allowance, if consistent with GAAP and not established for specific assets, and other amounts from sources determined by the Finance Agency as available to absorb losses.

 

3.               At least a five percent leverage capital-to-assets ratio. A leverage capital-to-assets ratio is defined as permanent capital weighted 1.5 times divided by total assets.

 

The Bank was in compliance with these capital rules and requirements throughout 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. The following table demonstrates the Bank’s compliance with these capital requirements at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Regulatory Capital Requirements

 

Required

 

Actual

 

Required

 

Actual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk-based capital

 

$

2,661,634

 

$

3,941,318

 

$

2,133,384

 

$

3,658,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total regulatory capital

 

$

3,055,172

 

$

3,941,318

 

$

3,214,127

 

$

3,658,377

 

Total capital-to-asset ratio

 

4.0

%

5.2

%

4.0

%

4.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage capital

 

$

3,818,965

 

$

5,911,976

 

$

4,017,658

 

$

5,487,565

 

Leverage capital-to-assets ratio

 

5.0

%

7.7

%

5.0

%

6.8

%

 

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock, which is classified as a liability under GAAP, is considered capital for determining the Bank’s compliance with these regulatory requirements.

 

Related-Party Activities. The Bank defines related parties as those members whose capital stock outstanding was in excess of 10 percent of the Bank’s total capital stock outstanding. The following table presents member holdings of 10 percent or more of the Bank’s total capital stock outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Name

 

Capital Stock
Outstanding

 

Percent
of Total

 

Capital Stock
Outstanding

 

Percent
of Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A., Providence, RI

 

$

1,082,548

 

29.3

%

$

1,082,548

 

29.4

%

RBS Citizens N.A., Providence, RI

 

515,748

 

14.0

 

515,043

 

14.0

 

 

Note 13 — Employee Retirement Plans

 

Employee Retirement Plans. The Bank participates in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan), a funded, tax-qualified, non-contributory defined-benefit pension plan. The plan covers substantially all officers and employees of the Bank. Funding and administrative costs of the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan charged to operating expenses were $740,000 and $920,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, and 2008, respectively. The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan is a multi-employer plan in which assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other

 

24



Table of Contents

 

participating employers since assets contributed by an employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. As a result, disclosure of the accumulated benefit obligations, plan assets, and the components of annual pension expense attributable to the Bank is not made.

 

Supplemental Retirement Benefits. The Bank also maintains a nonqualified, unfunded defined-benefit plan covering certain senior officers, as defined in the plan.

 

Postretirement Benefits. The Bank sponsors a fully insured retirement benefit program that includes life insurance benefits for eligible retirees. The Bank provides life insurance to all employees who retire on or after age 55 after completing six years of service. No contributions are required from the retirees.

 

The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Bank’s supplemental retirement and postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Supplemental
Retirement Plan for the Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

Postretirement
Benefit Plan for the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

140

 

$

128

 

$

6

 

$

6

 

Interest cost

 

200

 

176

 

6

 

5

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(4

)

(4

)

 

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

128

 

118

 

1

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

464

 

$

418

 

$

13

 

$

11

 

 

Defined Contribution Plan. The Bank also participates in the Pentegra Defined Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions, a tax-qualified defined contribution plan. The plan covers substantially all officers and employees of the Bank. The Bank’s contributions are equal to a percentage of participants’ compensation and a matching contribution equal to a percentage of voluntary employee contributions, subject to certain limitations. The Bank’s matching contributions were $222,000 and $194,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

The Bank also maintains the Thrift Benefit Equalization Plan, a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan covering certain senior officers and directors of the Bank, as defined in the plan. The plan’s liability consists of the accumulated compensation deferrals and the accumulated earnings on these deferrals. The Bank’s contribution to these plans totaled $35,000 and $101,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Bank’s obligation from this plan was $1.8 million and $4.7 million at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

Note 14 — Segment Information

 

As part of its method of internal reporting, the Bank analyzes its financial performance based on the net interest income of two operating segments: mortgage-loan finance and all other business activities. The products and services provided reflect the manner in which financial information is evaluated by management. The mortgage-loan-finance segment includes mortgage loans acquired through the MPF program and the related funding of those mortgage loans. Income from the mortgage-loan-finance segment is derived primarily from the difference, or spread, between the yield on mortgage loans and the borrowing and hedging costs related to those assets. The remaining business segment includes products such as advances and investments and their related funding and hedging costs. Income from this segment is derived primarily from the difference, or spread, between the yield on advances and investments and the borrowing and hedging costs related to those assets. Regulatory capital is allocated to the segments based upon asset size.

 

The following table presents net interest income after provision for credit losses on mortgage loans by business segment, other loss, other expense, and income before assessments for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Net Interest Income after Provision for Credit
Losses on Mortgage Loans by Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three
Months Ended
March 31,

 

Mortgage
Loan
Finance

 

Other
Business
Activities

 

Total

 

Other Loss

 

Other
Expense

 

(Loss) Income
Before
Assessments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

$

17,125

 

$

39,852

 

$

56,977

 

$

(124,863

)

$

15,552

 

$

(83,438

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

$

7,004

 

$

89,477

 

$

96,481

 

$

(5,609

)

$

14,404

 

$

76,468

 

 

25



Table of Contents

 

The following table presents total assets by business segment as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Total Assets by Segment

 

 

 

Mortgage
Loan
Finance

 

Other
Business
Activities

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

$

4,089,931

 

$

72,289,365

 

$

76,379,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

$

4,177,313

 

$

76,175,854

 

$

80,353,167

 

 

The following table presents average-earning assets by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Total Average-Earning Assets by Segment

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Mortgage
Loan
Finance

 

Other
Business
Activities

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

$

4,137,206

 

$

74,350,992

 

$

78,488,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

$

4,072,579

 

$

75,856,008

 

$

79,928,587

 

 

Note 15 — Estimated Fair Values

 

The Bank adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair-value measurements. SFAS 157 applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. Accordingly, SFAS 157 does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances.

 

The Bank records trading securities, available-for-sale securities, derivative assets, and derivative liabilities at fair value. The transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability is a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability. In general, the transaction price will equal the exit price and, therefore, represents the fair value of the asset or liability at initial recognition. In determining whether a transaction price represents the fair value of the asset or liability at initial recognition, each reporting entity is required to consider factors specific to the asset or liability, the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, and market participants with whom the entity would transact in that market.

 

SFAS 157 establishes a fair-value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The inputs are evaluated and an overall level within the fair-value hierarchy for the fair-value measurement is determined. This overall level is an indication of how market observable the fair-value measurement is and defines the level of disclosure. SFAS 157 clarifies fair value in terms of the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell an asset or transfer a liability in the principal (or most advantageous) market for the asset or liability. The objective of a fair-value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability at the measurement date (an exit price). In order to determine the fair value or the exit price, entities must determine the unit of account, highest and best use, principal market, and market participants. These determinations allow the reporting entity to define the inputs for fair value and level of hierarchy.

 

Outlined below is the application of the fair-value hierarchy established by SFAS 157 to the Bank’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are carried at fair value.

 

Level 1                     Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which the transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The types of assets and liabilities carried at Level 1 fair value generally include certain types of derivative contracts that are traded in an open exchange market and investments such as U.S. Treasury securities.

 

Level 2                     Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. The types of assets and liabilities carried at Level 2 fair value generally include investment securities, including U.S. government and agency securities, and derivative contracts.

 

26



Table of Contents

 

Level 3                     Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair-value measurement. Unobservable inputs are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the Bank’s own assumptions. The types of assets and liabilities carried at Level 3 fair value generally include certain private-label MBS and state or local agency obligations.

 

The Bank utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Fair value is first determined based on quoted market prices or market-based prices, where available. If quoted market prices or market-based prices are not available, fair value is determined based on valuation models that use market-based information available to the Bank as inputs to the models.

 

The following table presents the Bank’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on its statement of condition at March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands), by SFAS 157 fair-value hierarchy level:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netting

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Adjustment (1)

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities

 

$

 

$

61,984

 

$

 

$

 

$

61,984

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

1,088,422

 

 

 

1,088,422

 

Derivative assets

 

 

416,691

 

 

(387,953

)

28,738

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

 

$

1,567,097

 

$

 

$

(387,953

)

$

1,179,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities

 

$

 

$

(1,418,060

)

$

 

$

362,809

 

$

(1,055,251

)

Total liabilities at fair value

 

$

 

$

(1,418,060

)

$

 

$

362,809

 

$

(1,055,251

)

 


(1)            Amounts represent the effect of legally enforceable master-netting agreements that allow the Bank to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparties. Net cash collateral associated with derivative contracts, including accrued interest, as of March 31, 2009, totaled $25.1 million.  The following table presents the Bank’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on its statement of condition at December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands), by SFAS 157 fair-value hierarchy level:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netting

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Adjustment (1)

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities

 

$

 

$

63,196

 

$

 

$

 

$

63,196

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

1,214,404

 

 

 

1,214,404

 

Derivative assets

 

 

484,080

 

 

(455,145

)

28,935

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

 

$

1,761,680

 

$

 

$

(455,145

)

$

1,306,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities

 

$

(133

)

$

(1,582,706

)

$

 

$

409,045

 

$

(1,173,794

)

Total liabilities at fair value

 

$

(133

)

$

(1,582,706

)

$

 

$

409,045

 

$

(1,173,794

)

 


(1)          Amounts represent the effect of legally enforceable master-netting agreements that allow the Bank to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparties. Net cash collateral associated with derivative contracts, including accrued interest, as of December 31, 2008, totaled $46.1 million.

 

For instruments carried at fair value, the Bank reviews the fair-value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of the valuation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets or liabilities. If a change in classification results in an item moving into or out of the Level 3 fair-value hierarchy, such reclassification will be reported as a transfer in/out of Level 3 at fair value in the quarter in which the change occurs.

 

Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. Certain held-to-maturity investment securities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair-value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of other-than-temporary impairment).

 

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 115, as amended by FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 the Bank’s held-to-maturity securities with a carrying amount of $1.8 billion prior to write-down were written down to their fair value of $906.8 million.  The following table presents these investment securities by level within the SFAS 157 valuation hierarchy, for which a nonrecurring change in fair value has been recorded in the statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Credit Loss
Reported in
Earnings

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impaired held-to-maturity securities

 

$

 

$

 

$

906,815

 

$

(126,912

)

 

27



Table of Contents

 

Described below are the Bank’s fair-value-measurement methodologies for assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value.

 

Cash and Due from Banks. The estimated fair value approximates the recorded book balance.

 

Interest-Bearing Deposits. The estimated fair value is determined by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for interest-bearing deposits with similar terms.

 

Investment Securities. Fair values of investment securities that are actively traded in orderly transactions by market participants in the secondary market are determined based on independent market-based prices received from a third-party pricing service. The Bank’s principal markets for securities portfolios are the secondary institutional markets, with an exit price that is predominantly reflective of bid-level pricing in that market. Two factors may be used to determine the fair value of investment securities when the security is not actively traded in orderly transactions: (1) dealer quotes or (2) estimated fair value determined by calculating the present value of the expected future cash flows and reducing the amount for accrued interest receivable. In obtaining such valuation information from third parties, the Bank generally reviews the valuation methodologies used to develop the fair values to determine whether such valuations are representative of an exit price in the Bank’s principal markets. Further, the Bank performs an internal, independent price verification function that tests valuations received from third parties. Available-for-sale securities and trading securities are carried on the statement of condition at fair value.

 

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell. The estimated fair value is determined by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for securities with similar terms.

 

Federal Funds Sold. The estimated fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for federal funds with similar terms.

 

Advances. The Bank determines the estimated fair value of advances by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows from the advances and excluding the amount of the accrued interest receivable. The discount rates used in these calculations are the current replacement rates for advances with similar terms. In accordance with the Finance Agency’s advances regulations, except in cases where advances are funded by callable debt or otherwise hedged so as to be financially indifferent to prepayments, advances with a maturity or repricing period greater than six months require a prepayment fee sufficient to make the Bank financially indifferent to the borrower’s decision to prepay the advances. Therefore, the estimated fair value of advances does not assume prepayment risk. Credit risk related to advances does not have an impact on the estimated fair values of the Bank’s advances. Collateral requirements for advances provide a measure of additional credit enhancement to make credit losses remote. The Bank enjoys certain unique advantages as a creditor to its members. The Bank has the ability to establish a blanket lien on assets of members, and in the case of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured institutions, the ability to establish priority above all other creditors with respect to collateral that has not been perfected by other parties. All of these factors serve to mitigate credit risk on advances.

 

Mortgage Loans. The estimated fair values for mortgage loans are determined based on quoted market prices of similar mortgage-loan pools available in the market or modeled prices. The modeled prices start with prices for new and seasoned MBS issued by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Prices are then adjusted for differences in coupon, average loan rate, seasoning, and cash-flow remittance between the Bank’s mortgage loans and the MBS. The prices of the referenced MBS and the mortgage loans are highly dependent upon the underlying prepayment assumptions priced in the secondary market. Changes in the prepayment rates could have a material effect on the estimated fair value. Since these underlying prepayment assumptions are made at a specific point in time, they are susceptible to material changes in the near term.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable. The estimated fair value is the recorded book value.

 

Derivative Assets/Liabilities — Interest-Rate Exchange Agreements. The Bank bases the estimated fair values of interest-rate-exchange agreements on available market prices of derivatives having similar terms, including accrued interest receivable and payable. The estimated fair value is based on the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) swap curve and forward rates at period-end and, for agreements containing options, the market’s expectations of future interest-rate volatility implied from current market prices of similar options. The estimated fair value uses standard valuation techniques for derivatives such as discounted cash-flow analysis and

 

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comparisons with similar instruments. The fair values are netted by counterparty, including cash collateral received or delivered from/to the counterparty, where such legal right of offset exists. If these netted amounts are positive, they are classified as an asset, and if negative, they are classified as a liability. The Bank enters into master-netting agreements for interest-rate-exchange agreements with institutions that have long-term senior unsecured credit ratings that are at or above single-A by S&P and Moody’s. The Bank establishes master-netting agreements to reduce its exposure from counterparty defaults, and enters into bilateral-collateral-exchange agreements that require credit exposures beyond a defined amount to be secured by U.S. government or GSE-issued securities or cash. All of these factors serve to mitigate credit and nonperformance risk to the Bank. The Bank has evaluated the potential for the fair value of the instruments to be impacted by counterparty credit risk and nonperformance risk and has determined that no adjustments were necessary.

 

Derivative Assets/Liabilities — Mortgage-Loan-Purchase Commitments. Mortgage-loan-purchase commitments are recorded as derivatives in the statement of condition. The estimated fair values of mortgage-loan-purchase commitments are based on the end-of-day delivery commitment prices provided by the FHLBank of Chicago, which are derived from MBS to be announced (TBA) delivery-commitment prices with adjustment for the contractual features of the MPF program, such as servicing and credit-enhancement features.

 

Deposits. The Bank determines fair values of deposits by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows from the deposits and reducing this amount by any accrued interest payable. The discount rates used in these calculations are the cost of deposits with similar terms.

 

Consolidated Obligations. The Bank estimates fair values based on the cost of issuing comparable term debt, excluding noninterest selling costs. Fair values of CO bonds and CO discount notes without embedded options are determined based on internal valuation models which use market-based yield curve (CO curve) inputs obtained from the Office of Finance. Fair values of COs with embedded options are determined based on internal valuation models with market-based inputs obtained from the Office of Finance and derivative dealers.

 

Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock. The fair value of capital stock subject to mandatory redemption is generally at par. Capital stock can only be acquired by the Bank’s members at par value and redeemed at par value. The Bank’s capital stock is not traded and no market mechanism exists for the exchange of capital stock outside the cooperative structure.

 

Commitments. The estimated fair value of the Bank’s standby bond-purchase agreements is based on the present value of the estimated fees the Bank is to receive for providing these agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of such agreements. For fixed-rate advance commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.

 

The following estimated fair-value amounts have been determined by the Bank using available market information and the Bank’s best judgment of appropriate valuation methods. These estimates are based on pertinent information available to the Bank as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008. Although the Bank uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of these financial instruments, there are inherent limitations in any estimation technique or valuation methodology. For example, because an active secondary market does not exist for a portion of the Bank’s financial instruments, in certain cases, fair values are not subject to precise quantification or verification and may change as economic and market factors and evaluation of those factors change. Therefore, these estimated fair values are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in current market transactions, although they do reflect the Bank’s judgment of how a market participant would estimate the fair value. The fair-value summary tables do not represent an estimate of the overall market value of the Bank as a going concern, which would take into account future business opportunities and the net profitability of assets versus liabilities.

 

Estimates of the fair value of advances with options, mortgage instruments, derivatives with embedded options, and CO bonds with options using methods described above and other methods are highly subjective and require judgments regarding significant matters such as the amount and timing of future cash flows, prepayment speed assumptions, expected interest-rate volatility, methods to determine possible distributions of future interest rates used to value options, and the selection of discount rates that appropriately reflect market and credit risks. Changes in these judgments often have a material effect on the fair-value estimates. Since these estimates are made as of a specific point in time, they are susceptible to material near-term changes.

 

The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Bank’s financial instruments at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

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March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

5,759

 

$

5,759

 

$

5,735

 

$

5,735

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

11,552,123

 

11,552,123

 

3,279,075

 

3,279,075

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

1,000,000

 

999,993

 

2,500,000

 

2,499,950

 

Federal funds sold

 

900,000

 

899,995

 

2,540,000

 

2,539,945

 

Trading securities

 

61,984

 

61,984

 

63,196

 

63,196

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

1,088,422

 

1,088,422

 

1,214,404

 

1,214,404

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

7,954,230

 

7,195,216

 

9,268,224

 

7,584,782

 

Advances

 

49,433,322

 

49,634,416

 

56,926,267

 

57,347,453

 

Mortgage loans, net

 

4,066,816

 

4,194,642

 

4,153,537

 

4,235,015

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

198,859

 

198,859

 

288,753

 

288,753

 

Derivative assets

 

28,738

 

28,738

 

28,935

 

28,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

(840,850

)

(839,784

)

(611,070

)

(609,838

)

Consolidated obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

(30,364,574

)

(30,734,825

)

(32,254,002

)

(32,679,716

)

Discount notes

 

(41,147,285

)

(41,159,166

)

(42,472,266

)

(42,559,462

)

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

(90,886

)

(90,886

)

(93,406

)

(93,406

)

Accrued interest payable

 

(234,418

)

(234,418

)

(258,530

)

(258,530

)

Derivative liabilities

 

(1,055,251

)

(1,055,251

)

(1,173,794

)

(1,173,794

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments to extend credit for advances

 

 

(1,238

)

 

(525

)

Standby bond-purchase agreements

 

 

1,010

 

 

976

 

Standby letters of credit

 

(230

)

(230

)

(366

)

(366

)

 

Note 16 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

As described in Note 10 - Consolidated Obligations, as provided by both the FHLBank Act and Finance Agency regulation, COs are backed by the financial resources of the FHLBanks. The joint and several liability regulation of the Finance Agency authorizes the Finance Agency to require any FHLBank to repay all or a portion of the principal and interest on COs for which another FHLBank is the primary obligor. No FHLBank has ever been asked or required to repay the principal or interest on any CO on behalf of another FHLBank, and as of March 31, 2009, and through the filing of this report, the Bank does not believe that it is probable that it will be asked to do so.

 

The Bank considered the guidance under FIN 45, and determined it was not necessary to recognize a liability for the fair value of the Bank’s joint and several liability for all of the COs. The joint and several obligation is mandated by Finance Agency regulations and is not the result of an arms-length transaction among the FHLBanks. The FHLBanks have no control over the amount of the guaranty or the determination of how each FHLBank would perform under the joint and several obligation. Because the FHLBanks are subject to the authority of the Finance Agency as it relates to decisions involving the allocation of the joint and several liability for the FHLBanks’ COs, the FHLBanks’ joint and several obligation is excluded from the initial recognition and measurement provisions of FIN 45. Accordingly, the Bank has not recognized a liability for its joint and several obligation related to other FHLBanks’ COs at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008. The par amounts of other FHLBanks’ outstanding COs for which the Bank is jointly and severally liable aggregated to approximately $1.1 trillion and $1.2 trillion at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

Commitments to Extend Credit. Commitments that legally bind and unconditionally obligate the Bank for additional advances totaled approximately $68.3 million and $172.1 million at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. Commitments generally are for periods up to 12 months. Standby letters of credit are executed with members or housing associates for a fee. A standby letter of credit is a financing arrangement between the Bank and a member or housing associate. If the Bank is required to make payment for a beneficiary’s draw, the payment amount is converted into a collateralized advance to the member or housing associate. Outstanding standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding notional

 

$

1,073,488

 

$

1,148,442

 

Original terms

 

48 days to 20 years

 

One month to 20 years

 

Final expiration year

 

2024

 

2024

 

 

Unearned fees for the value of the guarantees related to standby letters of credit are recorded in other liabilities and totaled $230,000 and $366,000 at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. Based on management’s credit analyses and collateral requirements, the Bank has not deemed it necessary to record any additional liability on these commitments. Commitments are fully

 

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collateralized at the time of issuance. The estimated fair value of commitments as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, is reported in Note 15 — Estimated Fair Values.

 

Commitments for unused line-of-credit advances totaled approximately $1.5 billion at both March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. Commitments are generally for periods of up to 12 months. Since many of these commitments are not expected to be drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

 

Mortgage Loans. Commitments that obligate the Bank to purchase mortgage loans totaled $20.6 million and $32.7 million at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. Commitments are generally for periods not to exceed 45 business days. Such commitments are recorded as derivatives at their fair values on the statement of condition.

 

Standby Bond-Purchase Agreements. The Bank has entered into standby bond-purchase agreements with state-housing authorities whereby the Bank, for a fee, agrees as a liquidity provider if required, to purchase and hold the authority’s bonds until the designated marketing agent can find a suitable investor or the housing authority repurchases the bond according to a schedule established by the standby agreement. Each standby agreement dictates the specific terms that would require the Bank to purchase the bond. The standby bond-purchase commitments entered into by the Bank expire after three years, currently no later than 2011. Total commitments for bond purchases were $354.9 million and $333.4 million at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively, with two state-housing authorities. The estimated fair value of standby bond-purchase agreements as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, is reported in Note 15 — Estimated Fair Values. At March 31, 2009, the Bank did not hold any bonds purchased under these agreements. At December 31, 2008, the Bank held $21.7 million of bonds purchased under these agreements. These bonds are classified as available-for-sale in the statement of condition.

 

Counterparty Credit Exposure. The Bank executes derivatives with counterparties with long-term ratings of single-A (or equivalent) or better by both S&P and Moody’s, and enters into bilateral-collateral agreements. As of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had pledged as collateral securities with a carrying value, including accrued interest, of $687.0 million and $920.1 million, respectively, to counterparties that have credit-risk exposure to the Bank related to derivatives. These amounts pledged as collateral were subject to contractual agreements whereby some counterparties had the right to sell or repledge the collateral.

 

Unsettled Consolidated Obligations. The Bank had $848.0 million and $895.0 million par value of CO bonds that had traded but not settled as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. Additionally, the Bank had $830.0 million and $123.0 million par value of CO discount notes that had been traded but not settled as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

Lending Agreement Collateral. On September 9, 2008, the Bank entered into a lending agreement with the U.S. Treasury in connection with the U.S. Treasury’s establishment of the GSECF, which is an additional source of liquidity for the FHLBanks, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. Any borrowings by the Bank under the GSECF are COs with the same joint and several liability as all other COs. The terms of the borrowings are agreed to at the time of issuance. The maximum borrowings under the lending agreement are based on eligible collateral. The Bank has agreed to submit to the U.S. Treasury a weekly list of eligible collateral based on the lending agreement. As of March 31, 2009, the Bank had provided the U.S. Treasury with a listing of eligible collateral amounting to $37.6 billion. The amount of collateral can be increased or decreased (subject to the approval of the U.S. Treasury) at any time through the delivery of an updated listing of collateral. As of March 31, 2009, the Bank had not drawn on this available source of liquidity.

 

Legal Proceedings. The Bank is subject to various pending legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Management does not anticipate that the ultimate liability, if any, arising out of these matters will have a material effect on the Bank’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Note 17 — Transactions with Related Parties and Other FHLBanks

 

Transactions with Related Parties. The Bank defines related parties as those members whose capital stock outstanding was in excess of 10 percent of the Bank’s total capital stock outstanding. As discussed in Note 12 — Capital, Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A. and RBS Citizens N.A. held more than 10 percent of the Bank’s total capital stock outstanding as of March 31, 2009. Advances, derivative contracts, and capital stock activity with Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A. and RBS Citizens N.A. are discussed in Notes 6 — Advances, 8 — Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and 12 — Capital.

 

Transactions with Other FHLBanks. The Bank may occasionally enter into transactions with other FHLBanks. These transactions are summarized below.

 

Overnight Funds. The Bank may borrow or lend unsecured overnight funds from or to other FHLBanks. All such transactions are at current market rates. Interest income and interest expense related to these transactions with other FHLBanks, if any, are included within other interest income and interest expense from other borrowings in the statements of income.

 

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The Bank did not have any borrowings from other FHLBanks outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008. Interest expense on borrowings from other FHLBanks for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, is shown in the following table, by FHLBank (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Interest Expense on Borrowings from Other FHLBanks

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHLBank of Atlanta

 

$

 

$

18

 

FHLBank of Cincinnati

 

 

110

 

FHLBank of San Francisco

 

35

 

10

 

FHLBank of Seattle

 

 

3

 

FHLBank of Topeka

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

35

 

$

150

 

 

MPF Mortgage Loans. The Bank pays a transaction-services fee to the FHLBank of Chicago for the Bank’s participation in the MPF program. This fee is assessed monthly, and is based upon the amount of MPF loans purchased after January 1, 2004, and which remain outstanding on the Bank’s statement of condition. The Bank recorded $299,000 and $255,000 in MPF transaction-services fee expense to the FHLBank of Chicago during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which has been recorded in the statements of income as other expense.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including statements describing the objectives, projections, estimates, or predictions of the future of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (the Bank), may be “forward-looking statements.” These statements may use forward-looking terms, such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “may,” “should,” “will,” or their negatives or other variations on these terms. The Bank cautions that by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk or uncertainty and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements or could affect the extent to which a particular objective, projection, estimate, or prediction is realized. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:

 

·                  economic and market conditions;

·                  deterioration in the loan credit performance of the Bank’s private - label MBS portfolio beyond forecasted assumptions concerning loan default rates, loss severities, and prepayment speeds resulting in the realization of additional other than temporary impairment charges;

·                  volatility of market prices, rates, and indices;

·                  increase in borrower defaults on mortgage loans and fluctuations in the housing market;

·                  political, legislative, regulatory, or judicial events;

·                  changes in the Bank’s capital structure;

·                  membership changes;

·                  changes in the demand by Bank members for Bank advances;

·                  competitive forces, including the availability of other sources of funding for Bank members;

·                  changes in investor demand for COs and/or the terms of interest-rate-exchange agreements and similar agreements;

·                  the ability of the Bank to introduce new products and services to meet market demand and to manage successfully the risk associated with new products and services;

·                  the ability of each of the other FHLBanks to repay the principal and interest on COs for which it is the primary obligor and with respect to which the Bank has joint and several liability; and

·                  timing and volume of market activity.

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Bank’s interim financial statements and notes, which begin on page 1, and the Bank’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

PRIMARY BUSINESS RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

 

Investment Securities. The broad-based deterioration of credit performance of residential mortgage loans and the accompanying decline in residential real estate values in many parts of the U.S. increase the level of credit risk to which the Bank is exposed in its investments in mortgage-related securities. The Bank’s investments in MBS and asset-backed securities (ABS) are directly or indirectly supported by underlying mortgage loans. The deterioration of mortgage loan credit performance and house prices, combined with the market effects of distressed MBS liquidations by major holders of mortgages caused a sharp decrease in MBS prices and has resulted in a net unrealized loss attributable to MBS of $1.8 billion as of March 31, 2009. The Bank closely monitors the performance of its securities to evaluate its exposure to the risk of loss on these investments to determine if a loss is other than temporary. See Critical Accounting Estimates — Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis within this Item for additional information regarding the Bank’s investment analysis procedures. As of March 31, 2009, management has determined that 67 of its private-label MBS were other-than-temporarily impaired resulting in a credit loss of $126.9 million and an increase to accumulated other comprehensive loss of $767.7 million.

 

Finance Agency Guidance for Determining Other-Than-Temporary Impairment. On April 28, 2009 and May 7, 2009, the Finance Agency provided the Bank with guidance (the Finance Agency Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance) related to the Bank’s process for determining other-than-temporary impairment and the Bank’s adoption of FASB’s FSP FAS 115-2, with respect to the Bank’s holdings of private-label MBS. The Finance Agency Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Guidance has resulted in significant changes in the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, which is further described in Part I — Item 4 — Controls and Procedures — Changes to Internal Controls. See Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments in this Item for additional information on the Finance Agency Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance.

 

Contingent Liquidity. On March 6, 2009, the Bank received final guidance from the Finance Agency requiring the Bank to maintain sufficient liquidity through short-term investments in an amount at least equal to the Bank’s cash outflows under two different scenarios, as discussed in Part I – Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Liquidity Risk. Prior to this time, regulations required the Bank to maintain five calendar days of contingent liquidity. The new requirement revises and formalizes guidance provided to the FHLBanks in the third quarter of 2008 and is designed to enhance the Bank’s protection against temporary disruptions in access to the FHLBank debt markets in response to a rise in capital markets volatility. To satisfy this additional requirement, the Bank maintains balances in shorter-term investments, which may earn lower interest rates than alternate investment

 

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options and may, in turn, adversely impact net interest income. In certain circumstances, the Bank may need to fund overnight or shorter-term advances with short-term discount notes that have maturities beyond the maturities of the related advances, thus increasing the Bank’s short-term advance pricing or reducing net income through lower net interest spread. To the extent these increased prices make the Bank’s advances less competitive, advance levels and, therefore, the Bank’s net interest income may be adversely impacted.

 

Competition from Legislation and Federal Programs to Stabilize the Credit Markets and Economy. Members continue to access the myriad of liquidity programs established in response to the continuing volatility in the global capital markets and the U.S. economic and housing recession, including the Troubled Assets Relief Program’s (the TARP’s) capital injections, which directly increase each recipient’s ability to lend; favorable changes to the Federal Reserve Board’s requirements for borrowing directly from the Federal Reserve Banks (including via the discount window and the Term Auction Facility); the Federal Reserve Board’s commercial paper facility; and the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program as surrogates to the Bank’s traditional advance products. The availability of alternative funding sources to members can significantly influence the demand for the Bank’s advances and can vary as a result of other factors including, among others, market conditions, members’ creditworthiness, and availability of collateral. Demand for the Bank’s advances may be adversely impacted by additional legislative and regulatory developments. For example, on February 27, 2009, the FDIC approved a final rule to increase deposit insurance premium assessments based on secured liabilities, including the Bank’s advances, to the extent that the institution’s ratio of secured liabilities to domestic deposits exceeds 25 percent as further described under Part I — Item 3 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments. The demand for advances to Bank members impacted by this final rule may decrease due to the increased all-in cost of advances to these members from their increased deposit insurance premium assessments.

 

Appointment of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Effective May 1, 2009, the Bank’s board of directors appointed M. Susan Elliott to serve as interim president and chief executive officer of the Bank, following Michael A. Jessee’s retirement on April 30, 2009. Mr. Jessee’s retirement is described in Item 11 — Executive Compensation — Employment Status and Severance Benefits of the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Ms. Elliott will retain her current responsibilities as executive vice president and director of member services during this interim period. The Bank has no employment arrangement with Ms. Elliott. Neither Ms. Elliott nor any member of her immediate family has or has had any material interest in any transaction or proposed transaction with the Bank. Ms. Elliott’s base annual salary is $294,000. Other elements of her compensation, including certain retirement and deferred compensation plans, post-termination payments, benefits, and perquisites, are described in Item 11 — Executive Compensation of the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The following financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2008, have been derived from the Bank’s audited financial statements. Financial highlights for the March 31, 2009 and 2008, interim periods have been derived from the Bank’s unaudited financial statements.
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(dollars in thousands)
 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Statement of Condition

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

76,379,296

 

$

80,353,167

 

Investments (1)

 

21,556,759

 

16,364,899

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

1,000,000

 

2,500,000

 

Advances

 

49,433,322

 

56,926,267

 

Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net

 

4,066,816

 

4,153,537

 

Deposits and other borrowings

 

840,850

 

611,070

 

Consolidated obligations, net

 

71,511,859

 

74,726,268

 

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

90,886

 

93,406

 

Class B capital stock outstanding — putable (2)

 

3,604,513

 

3,584,720

 

Total capital

 

2,592,230

 

3,430,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital ratio (3)

 

5.16

 

4.55

%

 

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For The Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

$

57,077

 

$

96,481

 

Other income (loss)

 

2,049

 

(5,609

)

Net impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities recognized in earnings

 

(126,912

)

 

Other expense

 

15,552

 

14,404

 

AHP and REFCorp assessments

 

 

20,313

 

Net (loss) income

 

(83,438

)

56,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Information (4)

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared

 

$

 

$

49,627

 

Dividend payout ratio

 

N/A

 

88.38

%

Weighted-average dividend rate (5)

 

N/A

 

6.00

 

Return on average equity (6)

 

(8.59

)%

6.47

 

Return on average assets

 

(0.43

)

0.28

 

Net interest margin (7)

 

0.29

 

0.49

 

 


(1)          Investments include available-for-sale securities, held-to-maturity securities, trading securities, interest-bearing deposits, and federal funds sold.

(2)          Capital stock is putable at the option of a member.

(3)          Total capital ratio is capital stock (including mandatorily redeemable capital stock) plus retained earnings as a percentage of total assets. See Part I — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition — Capital regarding the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios.

(4)          Yields are annualized.

(5)          Weighted-average dividend rate is dividend amount declared divided by the average daily balance of capital stock eligible for dividends.

(6)          Return on average equity is net income divided by the total of the average daily balance of outstanding Class B capital stock and retained earnings. The average daily balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss is not included in the calculation.

(7)          Net interest margin is net interest income before mortgage-loan-loss provision as a percentage of average earning assets.

 

QUARTERLY OVERVIEW

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Bank recognized a net loss of $83.4 million, compared with net income of $56.2 million for the same period in 2008. This $139.6 million decrease was primarily driven by the other-than-temporary impairment of certain private-label MBS. Other-than-temporary impairment of these securities resulted in a credit loss of $126.9 million for the quarter, which is reflected in earnings. In addition, there was a decrease of $39.4 million in net interest income and a $1.1 million increase in other expenses. These decreases to net income were partially offset by a $20.3 million decrease in assessments.

 

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2009, was $57.1 million, compared with $96.5 million for the same period in 2008. This $39.4 million decrease was primarily attributable to a significant decrease in the average size of the balance sheet in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008, as well as lower average interest rates and a narrower average interest spread between the cost of short-term debt and the yield on assets in which those funds were invested. Average total earning assets were $1.2 billion lower in the first quarter of 2009 than in the same period of 2008 and mainly resulted from decreased advances activity. The average yield on interest earning assets dropped 229 basis points from 4.23 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, to 1.94 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, the Bank realized unusually wide spreads between the yield on short-term assets and the cost of like-term discount notes. These spread relationships returned closer to long-term historical norms during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Prepayment-fee income recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008, decreased by $4.2 million.

 

For the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, average total assets were $79.2 billion and $80.9 billion, respectively. Annual return on average assets and return on average equity were (0.43) percent and (8.59) percent, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared with 0.28 percent and 6.47 percent, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

 

Net interest spread for the first quarter of 2009 was 0.19 percent, a 12 basis point decrease from the net interest spread for the first quarter of 2008. Net interest margin for the first quarter of 2009 was 0.29 percent, a 20 basis point decline from net interest margin for the first quarter of 2008. See Results of Operations Net Interest Spread and Net Interest Margin for additional discussion of these topics.

 

Financial Condition at March 31, 2009, versus December 31, 2008.

 

The composition of the Bank’s total assets changed during the three months ended March 31, 2009, as follows:

 

·                  Advances decreased to 64.7 percent of total assets at March 31, 2009, down from 70.8 percent of total assets at December 31,

 

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2008. This decrease in the proportion of advances to assets reflects both a decrease in advances outstanding and an increase in investments and cash outstanding at March 31, 2009, as the Bank increased its liquid investments to offset the decline in advances. As of March 31, 2009, advances balances decreased by approximately $7.5 billion, ending the period at $49.4 billion.

 

·                  Short-term money-market investments increased to 17.6 percent of total assets at March 31, 2009, up from 10.4 percent of total assets at December 31, 2008. As of March 31, 2009, interest-bearing deposits had increased by $8.3 billion due to the increase in the Bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, while federal funds sold decreased by $1.6 billion and securities purchased under agreements to resell decreased by $1.5 billion from March 31, 2009, to December 31, 2008.

 

·                  Investment securities declined to 11.9 percent of total assets at March 31, 2009, down from 13.1 percent of total assets at December 31, 2008. From December 31, 2008, to March 31, 2009, investment securities decreased by $1.4 billion. The decrease is largely attributable to $894.6 million in fair-value write downs to the held-to-maturity MBS portfolio. In addition, there was a $444.8 million decrease in held-to-maturity MBS due to principal paydowns and a $125.1 million decline in non-MBS available-for-sale securities. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank’s MBS and Small Business Administration (SBA) holdings represented 186 percent and 225 percent of capital, respectively.

 

·                  Net mortgage loans increased slightly to 5.3 percent of total assets at March 31, 2009, up from 5.2 percent at December 31, 2008.

 

The Bank’s total capital declined $838.0 million to $2.6 billion at March 31, 2009 from $3.4 billion at December 31, 2008. The decline was primarily attributable to the recognition of $126.9 million of credit losses as well as $767.7 million of non-credit losses recorded in other comprehensive loss, all associated with other-than-temporary impairments of private-label MBS, a $45.6 million charge to other comprehensive loss attributable to temporary fair-value declines to securities classified as available-for-sale, offset by net other comprehensive income from other sources of $39.0 million and income from other sources of $43.5 million.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Net Interest Spread and Net Interest Margin

 

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2009, was $57.1 million, compared with $96.5 million for the same period in 2008, decreasing 40.8 percent from the previous year. Net interest margin for the first quarter of 2009 in comparison with 2008 decreased from 49 basis points to 29 basis points, and net interest spread decreased from 31 basis points to 19 basis points.

 

Net interest margin for the first quarter of 2009 was 29 basis points, a 20 basis point decline from net interest margin for the same period in 2008 which is attributable to the following factors:

 

·                  The average yield on interest-bearing assets funded by non-interest-bearing equity capital dropped 229 basis points from 4.23 percent in the quarter ended March 31, 2008, to 1.94 percent in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, as a result of lower interest rates; and

 

·                  the reinvestment spreads available on newly issued short-term debt declined sharply from the unusually high levels experienced in the quarter ended March 31, 2008, to levels that were closer to long-term historical norms.

 

Prepayment-fee income recognized on advances and investments decreased $4.2 million to $946,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, from $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

The following table presents major categories of average balances, related interest income/expense, and average yields for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The primary source of earnings for the Bank is net interest income, which is the interest earned on advances, mortgage loans, and investments less interest paid on COs, deposits, and other borrowings. Net interest spread is the difference between the yields on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income to average earning assets.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Net Interest Spread and Margin

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income /
Expense

 

Average
Yield (1)

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest
Income /
Expense

 

Average
Yield (1)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

$

51,599,879

 

$

252,184

 

1.98

%

$

58,934,708

 

$

615,183

 

4.20

%

Interest-bearing deposits

 

2,974,580

 

1,489

 

0.20

 

176

 

1

 

2.29

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

4,704,444

 

2,992

 

0.26

 

1,006,044

 

9,003

 

3.60

 

Federal funds sold

 

4,538,722

 

2,408

 

0.22

 

1,914,785

 

15,001

 

3.15

 

Investment securities (2)

 

10,720,288

 

65,509

 

2.48

 

13,910,207

 

147,257

 

4.26

 

Mortgage loans

 

4,137,205

 

52,715

 

5.17

 

4,072,579

 

52,260

 

5.16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest-earning assets

 

78,675,118

 

377,297

 

1.94

%

79,838,499

 

838,705

 

4.23

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-interest-earning assets

 

513,179

 

 

 

 

 

1,047,471

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

79,188,297

 

$

377,297

 

1.93

%

$

80,885,970

 

$

838,705

 

4.17

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount notes

 

$

40,544,145

 

$

100,398

 

1.00

%

$

44,868,395

 

$

415,199

 

3.72

%

Bonds

 

32,602,502

 

219,544

 

2.73

 

30,283,469

 

319,506

 

4.24

 

Deposits

 

724,184

 

243

 

0.14

 

1,016,489

 

7,056

 

2.79

 

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

91,894

 

 

 

32,151

 

312

 

3.90

 

Other borrowings

 

129,200

 

35

 

0.11

 

17,522

 

151

 

3.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

74,091,925

 

320,220

 

1.75

%

76,218,026

 

742,224

 

3.92

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities

 

1,642,370

 

 

 

 

 

1,196,248

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital

 

3,454,002

 

 

 

 

 

3,471,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and capital

 

$

79,188,297

 

$

320,220

 

1.64

%

$

80,885,970

 

$

742,224

 

3.69

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

 

$

57,077

 

 

 

 

 

$

96,481

 

 

 

Net interest spread

 

 

 

 

 

0.19

%

 

 

 

 

0.31

%

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

 

0.29

%

 

 

 

 

0.49

%

 


(1)          Yields are annualized

(2)          The average balances of held-to-maturity securities and available-for-sale securities are reflected at amortized cost; therefore the resulting yields do not give effect to changes in fair value or the noncredit component of a previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

 

The average balance of total advances decreased $7.3 billion, or 12.4 percent, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. The decrease in average advances was primarily attributable to a decline in member demand for short-term advances. The following table summarizes average balances of advances outstanding during the three months ending March 31, 2009 and 2008, by product type.

 

Average Balances of Advances Outstanding

By Product Type

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ending March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight advances – par value

 

$

1,405,271

 

$

3,015,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate advances – par value

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

20,066,442

 

29,405,929

 

Long-term

 

12,555,530

 

10,894,173

 

Amortizing

 

2,528,802

 

2,359,064

 

Putable

 

9,095,964

 

8,607,418

 

Callable

 

8,539

 

30,423

 

 

 

44,255,277

 

51,297,007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable-rate indexed advances – par value

 

 

 

 

 

Simple variable

 

4,972,122

 

4,078,723

 

Putable, convertible to fixed

 

12,000

 

46,000

 

 

 

4,984,122

 

4,124,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total average par value

 

50,644,670

 

58,436,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums and discounts

 

(12,122

)

(14,030

)

SFAS 133 hedging adjustments

 

967,331

 

511,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total average advances

 

$

51,599,879

 

$

58,934,708

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

As displayed in the above table, the total average advances decreased by $7.3 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. We believe the decrease reflects a decrease in member demand caused by an increase in available liquidity from alternative sources:

 

·                  A significant growth in deposits at some of our members during the first quarter of 2009, as faltering equity markets and temporarily increased FDIC deposit-insurance limits stimulated demand.

 

·                  Increased usage of the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window, as well as increased usage of the Federal Reserve Bank’s Term Auction Facility, both of which offered terms that were, at times, more attractive than the Bank’s advances rates.

 

Putable advances that are classified as fixed-rate advances in the table above are typically hedged with interest-rate-exchange agreements in which a short-term rate is received, typically three-month LIBOR. In addition approximately 46.1 percent of average long-term fixed- rate advances were similarly hedged with interest-rate swaps. Therefore, a significant portion of the Bank’s advances, including overnight advances, short-term fixed-rate advances, fixed-rate putable advances, certain fixed-rate bullet advances, and variable-rate advances, either earn a short-term interest rate or are swapped to a short-term index, resulting in yields that closely follow short-term market-interest-rate trends. The average balance of these advances totaled $35.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2009, representing 70.2 percent of the total average balance of advances outstanding during the first quarter of 2009. For 2008 the average balance of these advances totaled $45.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2008, representing 77.3 percent of the total average balance of advances outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

Included in net interest income are prepayment fees related to advances and investment securities. Prepayment fees make the Bank financially indifferent to the prepayment of advances or investments and are net of any hedging fair-value adjustments associated with SFAS 133. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, net prepayment fees on advances were $939,000 and $4.4 million, respectively, and prepayment fees on investments were $7,000 and $717,000, respectively. Excluding the impact of prepayment-fee income, net interest spread increased three basis points to 31 basis points and net interest margin declined five basis points to 41 basis points from March 31, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Prepayment-fee income is unpredictable and inconsistent from period to period, occurring only when advances and investments are prepaid prior to the scheduled maturity or repricing dates. Because prepayment-fee income recognized during these periods does not necessarily represent a trend that will continue in future periods, and due to the fact that prepayment-fee income represents a one-time fee recognized in the period in which the corresponding advance or investment security is prepaid, we believe it is important to review the results of net interest spread and net interest margin excluding the impact of prepayment-fee income. These results are presented in the following table.

 

Net Interest Spread and Margin without Prepayment-Fee Income

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

Interest
Income

 

Average
Yield (1)

 

Interest
Income

 

Average
Yield (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

$

251,245

 

1.97

%

$

610,736

 

4.17

%

Investment securities

 

65,502

 

2.48

 

146,540

 

4.24

 

Total interest-earning assets

 

376,351

 

1.94

 

833,541

 

4.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

56,131

 

 

 

91,317

 

 

 

Net interest spread

 

 

 

0.19

%

 

 

0.28

%

Net interest margin

 

 

 

0.29

%

 

 

0.46

%

 


(1)   Yields are annualized.

 

Average short-term money-market investments, consisting of interest-bearing deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and federal funds sold, increased $9.3 billion, or 318.3 percent, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, from the average balances for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The higher average balances in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, resulted from the increased activity in federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and higher balances held as interest-bearing deposits. The yield earned on short-term money-market investments is tied directly to short-term market-interest rates. These investments are used for liquidity management and to manage the Bank’s leverage ratio in response to fluctuations in other asset balances.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Average investment-securities balances decreased $3.2 billion or 22.9 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in average investments is the result of the $4.1 billion decrease in average certificates of deposit, offset by a $657.8 million increase in average held-to-maturity MBS, which is mainly due to the increase in purchases of agency MBS. The increase in held-to-maturity MBS was due to the carryover of balances accumulated during the first half of 2008, which had a smaller impact on average balances in the first quarter of 2008 than on the first quarter of 2009. Our MBS investments in the first half of 2008 were motivated by attractive net interest spread opportunities with respect to agency MBS during that period, as compared with prior periods. After September 2008, the Bank did not purchase MBS due to reduced investor demand for CO debt which reduced funding volumes and increased the relative cost of CO debt that would be used to fund MBS.

 

Average mortgage-loan balances for the three months ended March 31, 2009, were $64.6 million higher than the average balance for the same period in 2008, representing an increase of 1.6 percent. The increase in average mortgage-loan balances reflects the fact that balances had been declining steadily through 2007 and 2008, before beginning to trend modestly upward.

 

Overall, the yield on the mortgage-loan portfolio increased one basis point for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008. This increase is attributable to the following factors:

 

·                  The average stated coupon rate of the mortgage-loan portfolio increased two basis points due to the acquisition of loans at higher interest rates in the latter half of 2008 and into 2009 relative to the coupons on pre-existing loans; and

 

·                  Premium/discount amortization expense has increased $202,000, or 17.0 percent, representing a decrease in the average yield of one basis point, due to increased volume of loan prepayments during the three months ended March 31, 2009, versus the same period in 2008.

 

Composition of the Yields of Mortgage Loans

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

Interest
Income

 

Average
Yield (1)

 

Interest
Income

 

Average
Yield (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coupon accrual

 

$

55,204

 

5.41

%

$

54,550

 

5.39

%

Premium/discount amortization

 

(1,390

)

(0.13

)

(1,188

)

(0.12

)

Credit-enhancement fees

 

(1,099

)

(0.11

)

(1,102

)

(0.11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest income

 

$

52,715

 

5.17

%

$

52,260

 

5.16

%

 


(1)          Yields are annualized.

 

Average CO balances decreased $2.0 billion, or 2.7 percent, for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. This decrease was due to a decrease of $4.3 billion in CO discount notes slightly offset by an increase of $2.3 billion in CO bonds.

 

Net interest income includes interest paid and received on interest-rate-exchange agreements that are associated with advances, investments, deposits, and debt instruments that qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133. The Bank generally utilizes derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting as an interest-rate-risk management tool. These derivatives serve to stabilize net interest income and net interest margin when interest rates fluctuate. Accordingly, the impact of derivatives on net interest income and net interest margin should be viewed in the overall context of the Bank’s risk-management strategy. The following table provides a summary of the impact of derivative instruments on interest income and interest expense.

 

Impact of Derivatives on Gross Interest Income and Gross Interest Expense

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross interest income before effect of derivatives

 

$

475,403

 

$

846,525

 

Net interest adjustment for derivatives

 

(98,106

)

(7,820

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest income reported

 

$

377,297

 

$

838,705

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross interest expense before effect of derivatives

 

$

367,872

 

$

766,982

 

Net interest adjustment for derivatives

 

(47,652

)

(24,758

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest expense reported

 

$

320,220

 

$

742,224

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Reported net interest margin for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, was 0.29 percent and 0.49 percent, respectively. If derivative instruments had not been used as hedges to mitigate the impact of interest-rate fluctuations, net interest margin would have been 0.55 percent and 0.40 percent, respectively.

 

Interest paid and received on interest-rate-exchange agreements that are used by the Bank in its asset and liability management, but which do not meet hedge-accounting requirements of SFAS 133 (economic hedges), are classified as net gain (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities in other income. As shown in the Other Income (Loss) and Operating Expenses section below, interest accruals on derivatives classified as economic hedges totaled a loss of $810,000 and $106,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Rate and Volume Analysis

 

Changes in both average balances (volume) and interest rates influence changes in net interest income and net interest margin. The following table summarizes changes in interest income and interest expense between the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. Changes in interest income and interest expense that are not identifiable as either volume-related or rate-related, but rather equally attributable to both volume and rate changes, have been allocated to the volume and rate categories based upon the proportion of the volume and rate changes.

 

Rate and Volume Analysis

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 vs. 2008

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) due to

 

 

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Total

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

$

(76,564

)

$

(286,435

)

$

(362,999

)

Interest-bearing deposits

 

16,900

 

(15,412

)

1,488

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

33,097

 

(39,108

)

(6,011

)

Federal funds sold

 

20,557

 

(33,150

)

(12,593

)

Investment securities

 

(33,769

)

(47,979

)

(81,748

)

Mortgage loans

 

829

 

(374

)

455

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest income

 

(38,950

)

(422,458

)

(461,408

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount notes

 

(40,015

)

(274,786

)

(314,801

)

Bonds

 

24,467

 

(124,429

)

(99,962

)

Deposits

 

(2,029

)

(4,784

)

(6,813

)

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

580

 

(892

)

(312

)

Other borrowings

 

962

 

(1,078

)

(116

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest expense

 

(16,035

)

(405,969

)

(422,004

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in net interest income

 

$

(22,915

)

$

(16,489

)

$

(39,404

)

 

Other Income (Loss) and Operating Expenses

 

The following table presents a summary of other income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. Additionally, detail on the components of net gain (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities is provided, indicating the source of these gains and losses by type of hedging relationship and hedge accounting treatment.

 

40



Table of Contents

 

Other Income (Loss)

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net gains related to fair-value hedge ineffectiveness

 

$

465

 

$

1,699

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) related to derivatives not receiving hedge accounting under SFAS 133 associated with:

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

142

 

(801

)

Trading securities

 

220

 

(1,450

)

Mortgage loans

 

 

(3,375

)

Mortgage-delivery commitments

 

7

 

(273

)

Net interest-accruals related to derivatives not receiving hedge accounting under SFAS 133

 

(810

)

(106

)

Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities

 

24

 

(4,306

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net impairment losses on held-to-maturity securities recognized in earnings

 

(126,912

)

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

(2,699

)

Service fees

 

936

 

1,305

 

Net unrealized gains on trading securities

 

1,096

 

75

 

Other

 

(7

)

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other loss

 

$

(124,863

)

$

(5,609

)

 

As noted in the Other Income (Loss) table above, SFAS 133 introduces the potential for considerable timing differences between income recognition from assets or liabilities and income effects of hedging instruments entered into to mitigate interest-rate risk and cash-flow activity.

 

The current market pricing of private-label MBS, which reflects a significant discount to cost, has been adversely impacted by a significant reduction in the liquidity of these securities and market perceptions that defaults on the mortgages underlying these securities will increase significantly. As a result, the current fair value of some of these securities is substantially less than what we believe is indicated by the performance of the collateral underlying the securities and our calculation of the expected cash flows of the securities.

 

In accordance with the Finance Agency Other Than Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance, described under Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments in this Item, we have adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of January 1, 2009. Accordingly, we determined that the aggregate credit loss on securities that were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008, was $32.6 million. To effect the transition adjustment required by FSP FAS 115-2, we reclassified the difference between this amount and the loss of $381.7 million realized at December 31, 2008 from accumulated deficit to accumulated other comprehensive loss as of January 1, 2009.

 

During the first quarter of 2009, it was determined that 67 of the Bank’s held-to-maturity private-label MBS, representing an aggregated par value of $2.1 billion as of March 31, 2009, were other-than-temporarily impaired, an increase from 19 securities with an aggregate par value of $689.7 million as of March 31, 2009, that were determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008.

 

For the securities on which we recognized other-than-temporary impairment during the first quarter of 2009, the average credit enhancement was not sufficient to cover projected expected credit losses. The average credit enhancement as of March 31, 2009, was approximately 22.7 percent and the expected average collateral loss was approximately 28.4 percent. Accordingly, the Bank recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of $126.9 million related to credit loss and an other-than-temporary impairment of $767.7 million related to all other factors. The credit loss is recorded in income, while the impairment loss due to all other factors is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Bank does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not likely that the Bank will be required to sell these securities before the anticipated recovery of each security’s remaining amortized cost basis.

 

In subsequent periods we will account for the other-than-temporarily impaired securities as if the securities had been purchased on the measurement date of the other-than-temporary impairment.

 

We will continue to monitor and analyze the performance of these securities to assess the collectability of principal and interest as of each balance-sheet date. As conditions in the housing and mortgage markets continue to change over time, the amount of projected credit losses could also change. Additionally, if there is further deterioration in the housing and mortgage markets and the decline in home prices exceeds our current expectations, we may recognize significant other-than-temporary impairment amounts in the future.

 

The following table summarizes other-than-temporary impairment charges recorded by the Bank at March 31, 2009.

 

41



Table of Contents

 

Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired Securities

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Duration of Unrealized Losses
Prior to Impairment

 

Amortized

 

 

 

Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment

 

 

 

Less than 12
Months

 

12 Months or
Greater

 

Cost Prior to
Impairment

 

Fair Value

 

Related to
Credit Loss

 

Held-to-Maturity Private-label MBS Backed by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A

 

$

 

$

(1,076,863

)

$

2,109,942

 

$

906,177

 

$

(126,902

)

Subprime

 

 

(759

)

1,407

 

638

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

$

(1,077,622

)

$

2,111,349

 

$

906,815

 

$

(126,912

)

 

There were no losses on early extinguishment of debt for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Losses on early extinguishment of debt totaled $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Early extinguishment of debt is primarily driven by the prepayment of advances and investments, which generates income to the Bank in the form of make-whole prepayment penalties. The Bank may use a portion of the fees from prepaid advances and investments to retire higher-costing debt and to manage the relative interest-rate sensitivities of assets and liabilities. However, the Bank is constrained in its ability to employ this strategy due to the limited availability of specific bonds for purchase and retirement. In this manner, the Bank endeavors to preserve its asset-liability repricing balance and stabilize the net interest margin. The Bank did not extinguish any debt during the three months ended March 31, 2009. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Bank extinguished debt with a book value totaling $84.0 million.

 

Changes in the fair value of trading securities are recorded in other (loss) income. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank recorded net unrealized gains on trading securities of $1.1 million and $75,000 respectively. These securities are economically hedged with interest-rate-exchange agreements that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133, but are acceptable hedging strategies under the Bank’s risk-management program. Changes in the fair value of these economic hedges are recorded in current-period earnings and amounted to a gain of $220,000 and a loss of $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Also included in other (loss) income are interest accruals on these economic hedges, which resulted in losses of $291,000 and $318,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, are summarized in the following table:

 

Operating Expenses

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries, incentive compensation, and benefits

 

$

8,815

 

$

8,482

 

Occupancy costs

 

1,084

 

1,076

 

Other operating expenses

 

3,831

 

3,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

13,730

 

$

13,044

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of operating expenses to average assets

 

0.07

%

0.06

%

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, total operating expenses increased $686,000 from the same period in 2008. This increase was primarily due to a $333,000 increase in salaries and benefits and a $345,000 increase in other operating expenses. The $333,000 increase in salaries and benefits is due primarily to a $430,000 increase in salary expenses attributable to planned staffing increases and annual merit increases, an increase of $113,000 in incentive compensation, offset by a $152,000 decrease in employee benefits.

 

The $345,000 increase in other operating expenses is largely attributable to a $170,000 increase in employee search costs due to the Bank’s search for a chief executive officer, a $202,000 increase in contractual services, and a $298,000 increase in director fees which was the result of more board of director and director committee meetings in the first quarter of 2009 than in the first quarter of 2008 as well as an increase in the per meeting fee paid to directors. These were offset by a $178,000 decline in legal services, a $52,000 decline in professional fees, and a $75,000 decrease in director travel.

 

The Bank, together with the other FHLBanks, is charged for the cost of operating the Finance Agency and the Office of Finance. The Finance Agency’s operating costs are also shared by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and HERA prohibits assessments on the

 

42



Table of Contents

 

FHLBanks for such costs in excess of the costs and expenses related to the FHLBanks. These expenses totaled $1.5 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are included in other expense.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Advances

 

At March 31, 2009, the advances portfolio totaled $49.4 billion, a decrease of $7.5 billion compared with a total of $56.9 billion at December 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily the result of a $5.0 billion decline in fixed-rate advances, a $1.2 billion decrease in floating-rate advances, and a $1.2 billion decrease in overnight advances. The decline in fixed-rate advances was attributable to the decrease in short-term advances of $3.7 billion and a decline in long-term advances of $1.0 billion. At March 31, 2009, 57.5 percent of total advances outstanding had original maturities of greater than one year, compared with 54.1 percent as of December 31, 2008.

 

The following table summarizes advances outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by year of contractual maturity.

 

Advances Outstanding by Year of Contractual Maturity

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Year of Contractual Maturity

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrawn demand-deposit accounts

 

$

6,213

 

0.68

%

$

28,444

 

0.46

%

Due in one year or less

 

26,280,225

 

1.56

 

32,363,291

 

2.42

 

Due after one year through two years

 

5,441,142

 

4.18

 

5,418,310

 

4.23

 

Due after two years through three years

 

4,088,784

 

3.14

 

4,953,624

 

3.27

 

Due after three years through four years

 

2,841,649

 

3.94

 

2,507,092

 

4.30

 

Due after four years through five years

 

4,489,691

 

2.32

 

5,119,387

 

2.43

 

Thereafter

 

5,312,810

 

4.08

 

5,439,874

 

4.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

48,460,514

 

2.47

%

55,830,022

 

2.92

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

7,908

 

 

 

9,279

 

 

 

Discounts

 

(20,438

)

 

 

(20,883

)

 

 

SFAS 133 hedging adjustments

 

985,338

 

 

 

1,107,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

49,433,322

 

 

 

$

56,926,267

 

 

 

 

The Bank offers advances to members that may be prepaid on pertinent dates (call dates) without incurring prepayment or termination fees (callable advances). At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had outstanding callable advances of $4.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively. The following table summarizes advances outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by year of contractual maturity or next call date for callable advances.

 

Advances Outstanding by Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrawn demand-deposit accounts

 

$

6,213

 

%

$

28,444

 

%

Due in one year or less

 

26,280,225

 

54.2

 

32,368,791

 

58.0

 

Due after one year through two years

 

5,441,142

 

11.2

 

5,418,310

 

9.7

 

Due after two years through three years

 

4,092,784

 

8.4

 

4,948,124

 

8.9

 

Due after three years through four years

 

2,841,649

 

5.9

 

2,507,092

 

4.5

 

Due after four years through five years

 

4,485,691

 

9.3

 

5,119,387

 

9.2

 

Thereafter

 

5,312,810

 

11.0

 

5,439,874

 

9.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

48,460,514

 

100.0

%

$

55,830,022

 

100.0

%

 

43



Table of Contents

 

The Bank also offers putable advances, in which the Bank purchases a put option from the member that allows the Bank to terminate the related advance on specific dates through its term. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank had putable advances outstanding totaling $9.0 billion and $9.3 billion, respectively. The following table summarizes advances outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by year of contractual maturity or next put date for putable advances.

 

Advances Outstanding by Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Put Date

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Put Date

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

Par Value

 

Percentage
of Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrawn demand-deposit accounts

 

$

6,213

 

%

$

28,444

 

%

Due in one year or less

 

32,878,950

 

67.8

 

39,061,566

 

70.0

 

Due after one year through two years

 

4,276,542

 

8.8

 

4,529,960

 

8.1

 

Due after two years through three years

 

4,202,484

 

8.7

 

4,906,824

 

8.8

 

Due after three years through four years

 

1,687,349

 

3.5

 

1,599,042

 

2.9

 

Due after four years through five years

 

4,048,441

 

8.4

 

4,277,587

 

7.7

 

Thereafter

 

1,360,535

 

2.8

 

1,426,599

 

2.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

48,460,514

 

100.0

%

$

55,830,022

 

100.0

%

 

The following table summarizes advances outstanding by product type at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

 

Advances Outstanding by Product Type

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Balance

 

Percent of
Total

 

Balance

 

Percent of
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight advances

 

$

1,168,198

 

2.4

%

$

2,350,846

 

4.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate advances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

19,221,252

 

39.7

 

22,893,070

 

41.0

 

Long-term

 

11,851,870

 

24.5

 

12,866,170

 

23.1

 

Amortizing

 

2,533,769

 

5.2

 

2,565,761

 

4.6

 

Putable

 

9,011,925

 

18.6

 

9,273,175

 

16.6

 

Callable

 

4,000

 

 

5,500

 

 

 

 

42,622,816

 

88.0

 

47,603,676

 

85.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable-rate advances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simple variable

 

4,669,500

 

9.6

 

5,875,500

 

10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

48,460,514

 

100.0

%

$

55,830,022

 

100.0

%

 

The Bank lends to member financial institutions within the six New England states. Advances are diversified across the Bank’s member institutions. At March 31, 2009, the Bank had advances outstanding to 364, or 78.6 percent, of its 463 members.At December 31, 2008, the Bank had advances outstanding to 370, or 80.3 percent, of its 461 members.

 

Top Five Advance-Holding Members

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2009

 

Income for the

 

Name

 

City

 

State

 

Par Value of
Advances

 

Percent of Total
Advances

 

Weighted-Average
Rate (1)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RBS Citizens, N.A.

 

Providence

 

RI

 

$

11,113,964

 

22.9

%

0.53

%

$

21,451

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A.

 

Providence

 

RI

 

10,695,620

 

22.1

 

1.37

 

58,697

 

NewAlliance Bank

 

New Haven

 

CT

 

2,162,477

 

4.5

 

4.31

 

23,803

 

Washington Trust Company

 

Westerly

 

RI

 

723,137

 

1.5

 

3.91

 

7,256

 

Webster Bank

 

Waterbury

 

CT

 

666,554

 

1.4

 

4.18

 

7,405

 

 

44



Table of Contents

 


(1)

Weighted-average rates are based on the contract rate of each advance without taking into consideration the effects of interest-rate-exchange agreements that may be used by the Bank as a hedging instrument.

 

Investments

 

At March 31, 2009, investment securities and short-term money-market instruments totaled $22.6 billion, compared with $18.9 billion at December 31, 2008. The growth in investments was primarily due to an increase of $8.3 billion in interest-bearing deposits. This increase was partially offset by a $1.5 billion decline in securities purchased under agreements to resell and a $1.6 billion decline in federal funds sold. Under the Bank’s pre-existing authority to purchase MBS, additional investments in MBS and certain securities issued by the Small Business Administration (SBA) are prohibited if the Bank’s investments in such securities exceed 300 percent of capital as measured at the previous monthend. Capital for this calculation is defined as capital stock, mandatorily redeemable capital stock, and retained earnings. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank’s MBS and SBA holdings represented 186 percent and 225 percent of capital, respectively.

 

The Bank classifies most of its investments as held-to-maturity. The following tables provide a summary of the Bank’s held-to-maturity securities, available for sale securities and trading securities.

 

Investment Securities Classified as Held-to-Maturity

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Amortized

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Value

 

Cost

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit

 

$

565,000

 

$

565,000

 

$

565,110

 

$

565,000

 

$

565,157

 

U.S. agency obligations

 

38,084

 

38,084

 

40,432

 

39,995

 

41,259

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

273,094

 

273,094

 

210,215

 

278,128

 

196,122

 

 

 

876,178

 

876,178

 

815,757

 

883,123

 

802,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government guaranteed

 

11,443

 

11,443

 

12,170

 

11,870

 

12,515

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

4,170,161

 

4,170,161

 

4,254,596

 

4,384,215

 

4,359,784

 

Private-label MBS

 

3,974,375

 

2,896,448

 

2,112,693

 

3,989,016

 

2,409,945

 

 

 

8,155,979

 

7,078,052

 

6,379,459

 

8,385,101

 

6,782,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

9,032,157

 

$

7,954,230

 

$

7,195,216

 

$

9,268,224

 

$

7,584,782

 

 

Investment Securities Classified as Available-for-Sale

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

Adjusted
Cost (1)

 

Fair
Value

 

Adjusted
Cost (1)

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supranational banks

 

$

479,154

 

$

410,061

 

$

501,890

 

$

458,984

 

U.S. government corporations

 

309,258

 

236,426

 

334,345

 

275,856

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

154,992

 

128,106

 

164,478

 

143,130

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

 

 

21,685

 

21,685

 

 

 

943,404

 

774,593

 

1,022,398

 

899,655

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

321,122

 

313,829

 

322,486

 

314,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,264,526

 

$

1,088,422

 

$

1,344,884

 

$

1,214,404

 

 


(1)          Includes amortized cost and SFAS 133 carrying value adjustments

 

Trading Securities

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government guaranteed

 

$

26,438

 

$

26,533

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

35,546

 

36,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

61,984

 

$

63,196

 

 

45



Table of Contents

 

The Bank’s MBS investment portfolio consists of the following categories of securities as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Private-label residential mortgage-backed securities

 

44.5

%

43.4

%

U.S. government-guaranteed and GSE residential mortgage-backed securities

 

53.4

 

54.5

 

Private-label commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

1.7

 

1.6

 

Home-equity loans

 

0.4

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mortgage-backed securities

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

Mortgage Loans

 

Mortgage loans as of March 31, 2009, totaled $4.1 billion, a decrease of $86.7 million from the December 31, 2008, balance of $4.2 billion. The following table presents information relating to the Bank’s mortgage portfolio as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

 

Mortgage Loans Held for Investment

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Real estate

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed-rate 15-year single-family mortgages

 

$

988,705

 

$

1,027,058

 

Fixed-rate 20- and 30-year single-family mortgages

 

3,060,448

 

3,107,424

 

Premiums

 

31,058

 

32,476

 

Discounts

 

(11,244

)

(11,576

)

Deferred derivative gains and losses, net

 

(1,701

)

(1,495

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans held for portfolio

 

4,067,266

 

4,153,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: allowance for credit losses

 

(450

)

(350

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses

 

$

4,066,816

 

$

4,153,537

 

 

The following table details the par value of mortgage loans held for portfolio at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conventional loans

 

$

3,677,520

 

$

3,755,215

 

Government-insured or guaranteed loans

 

371,633

 

379,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

4,049,153

 

$

4,134,482

 

 

The FHLBank of Chicago, which acts as the MPF Provider and provides operational support to the FHLBanks participating in the MPF program (MPF Banks) and their participating financial institution members (PFIs), calculates and publishes daily prices, rates, and fees associated with the various MPF products. See Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition — Mortgage Loans of the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the Bank’s relationship with the FHLBank of Chicago as MPF Provider.

 

The following table presents purchases of mortgage loans during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

46



Table of Contents

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conventional loans

 

 

 

 

 

Original MPF

 

$

120,908

 

$

79,746

 

MPF 125

 

952

 

23,322

 

Total conventional loans

 

121,860

 

103,068

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government-insured or guaranteed loans

 

 

 

 

 

MPF Government

 

4,999

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

126,859

 

$

103,068

 

 

Allowance for Credit Losses on Mortgage Loans. The allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans was $450,000 and $350,000 at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. See Item 7 — Critical Accounting Estimates — Allowance for Loan Losses of the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of the Bank’s methodology for estimating the allowance for loan losses.

 

The following table presents the Bank’s allowance for credit losses activity (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

350

 

$

125

 

Provision for credit losses

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

450

 

$

125

 

 

The Bank places conventional mortgage loans on nonaccrual when the collection of the contractual principal or interest is 90 days or more past due. Accrued interest on nonaccrual loans is reversed against interest income. The Bank monitors the delinquency levels of the mortgage-loan portfolio on a monthly basis. A summary of mortgage-loan delinquencies at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, are provided in the following tables.

 

Summary of Delinquent Mortgage Loans

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

Days Delinquent

 

Conventional

 

Government (1)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 days

 

$

33,499

 

$

15,520

 

$

49,019

 

60 days

 

11,741

 

5,232

 

16,973

 

90 days or more and accruing

 

 

15,413

 

15,413

 

90 days or more and nonaccruing

 

26,371

 

 

26,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total delinquencies

 

$

71,611

 

$

36,165

 

$

107,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value of mortgage loans outstanding

 

$

3,677,520

 

$

371,633

 

$

4,049,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total delinquencies as a percentage of total par value of mortgage loans outstanding

 

1.95

%

9.73

%

2.66

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delinquencies 90 days or more as a percentage of total par value of mortgage loans outstanding

 

0.72

%

4.15

%

1.03

%

 


(1)

Government loans continue to accrue interest after 90 or more days delinquent since the U.S. government insures or guarantees the repayment of principal and interest.

 

Summary of Delinquent Mortgage Loans

As of December 31, 2008

(dollars in thousands)

 

Days Delinquent

 

Conventional

 

Government (1)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 days

 

$

37,101

 

$

17,709

 

$

54,810

 

60 days

 

10,354

 

7,130

 

17,484

 

90 days or more and accruing

 

 

14,207

 

14,207

 

90 days or more and nonaccruing

 

21,325

 

 

21,325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total delinquencies

 

$

68,780

 

$

39,046

 

$

107,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value of mortgage loans outstanding

 

$

3,755,215

 

$

379,267

 

$

4,134,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total delinquencies as a percentage of total par value of mortgage loans outstanding

 

1.83

%

10.30

%

2.61

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delinquencies 90 days or more as a percentage of total par value of mortgage loans outstanding

 

0.57

%

3.75

%

0.86

%

 

47



Table of Contents

 


(1)   Government loans continue to accrue interest after 90 or more days delinquent since the U.S. government insures or guarantees the repayment of principal and interest.

 

Sale of REO Assets. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Bank sold REO assets with a recorded carrying value of $1.9 million, and $1.1 million, respectively. Upon sale of these properties, and inclusive of any proceeds received from primary mortgage-insurance coverage, the Bank recognized net gains totaling $51,000, and $9,000 on the sale of REO assets during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Gains and losses on the sale of REO assets are recorded in other income.

 

Debt Financing — Consolidated Obligations

 

At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, outstanding COs, including both CO bonds and CO discount notes, totaled $71.5 billion and $74.7 billion, respectively. CO bonds have an initial maturity of greater than one year and are generally issued with either fixed-rate coupon-payment terms or variable-rate coupon-payment terms that use a variety of indices for interest-rate resets. In addition, to meet the needs of the Bank and of certain investors in COs, fixed-rate bonds and variable-rate bonds may also contain certain provisions that may result in complex coupon-payment terms and call or amortization features. When such COs (structured bonds) are issued, the Bank either enters into interest-rate-exchange agreements containing offsetting features, which effectively change the characteristics of the bond to those of a simple variable-rate bond, or uses the bond to fund assets with characteristics similar to those of the bond.

 

The following is a summary of the Bank’s CO bonds outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by the year of contractual maturity, for which the Bank is primarily liable.

 

Consolidated Obligation Bonds Outstanding

by Year of Contractual Maturity

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Year of Contractual Maturity

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

Amount

 

Weighted
Average
Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

12,124,875

 

2.40

%

$

15,200,275

 

2.85

%

Due after one year through two years

 

7,473,810

 

2.69

 

5,338,110

 

3.49

 

Due after two years through three years

 

2,475,050

 

3.48

 

2,598,350

 

3.87

 

Due after three years through four years

 

2,052,880

 

4.17

 

1,735,580

 

4.70

 

Due after four years through five years

 

2,237,300

 

3.92

 

2,454,000

 

4.06

 

Thereafter

 

4,597,700

 

5.44

 

6,005,000

 

5.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

30,961,615

 

3.24

%

33,331,315

 

3.71

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

72,195

 

 

 

80,586

 

 

 

Discounts

 

(940,086

)

 

 

(1,481,762

)

 

 

SFAS 133 hedging adjustments

 

270,850

 

 

 

323,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

30,364,574

 

 

 

$

32,254,002

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

CO bonds outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, include issued callable bonds totaling $6.4 billion and $9.4 billion, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes CO bonds outstanding at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, by the earlier of the year of contractual maturity or next call date.

 

Consolidated Obligation Bonds Outstanding

by Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date

(dollars in thousands)

 

Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

16,844,875

 

$

19,800,275

 

Due after one year through two years

 

6,954,810

 

5,959,110

 

Due after two years through three years

 

1,765,050

 

2,258,350

 

Due after three years through four years

 

1,477,880

 

1,230,580

 

Due after four years through five years

 

1,726,300

 

1,878,000

 

Thereafter

 

2,192,700

 

2,205,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

30,961,615

 

$

33,331,315

 

 

CO discount notes are also a significant funding source for the Bank. CO discount notes are short-term instruments with maturities ranging from overnight to one year. The Bank uses CO discount notes primarily to fund short-term advances and investments and longer-term advances and investments with short repricing intervals. CO discount notes comprised 57.5 percent and 56.8 percent of outstanding COs at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively, but accounted for 97.9 percent and 97.5 percent of the proceeds from the issuance of COs during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, due, in particular, to the Bank’s frequent overnight CO discount note issuances.

 

The Bank’s outstanding CO discount notes, all of which are due within one year, were as follows:

 

CO Discount Notes Outstanding

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Book Value

 

Par Value

 

Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

$

41,147,285

 

$

41,180,560

 

0.56

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

$

42,472,266

 

$

42,567,305

 

1.59

%

 

Average Consolidated Obligations Outstanding

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Yield (1)

 

Average
Balance

 

Yield (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight discount notes

 

$

4,529,624

 

0.10

%

$

5,311,588

 

2.79

%

Term discount notes

 

36,014,521

 

1.12

 

39,556,807

 

3.85

 

Total discount notes

 

40,544,145

 

1.00

 

44,868,395

 

3.72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

32,602,502

 

2.73

 

30,283,469

 

4.24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated obligations

 

$

73,146,647

 

1.77

%

$

75,151,864

 

3.93

%

 


(1)          Yields are annualized.

 

The average balances of COs for the three months ended March 31, 2009, were lower than the average balances for the same period in 2008, which is consistent with the decrease in total average assets, primarily short-term advances. The average balance of term CO discount notes and overnight CO discount notes decreased $3.5 billion and $782.0 million, respectively, from the prior period. Average balances of CO bonds increased $2.3 billion from the prior period. The average balance of CO discount notes represented

 

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Table of Contents

 

approximately 55.4 percent of total average COs during the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared with 59.7 percent of total average COs during the three months ended March 31, 2008, and the average balance of bonds represented 44.6 percent and 40.3 percent of total average COs outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Deposits

 

As of March 31, 2009, deposits totaled $840.9 million compared with $611.1 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $229.8 million. This increase was mainly the result of a higher level of member deposits in the Bank’s overnight and demand-deposit accounts, which provide members with a short-term liquid investment.

 

The following table presents term deposits issued in amounts of $100,000 or greater at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

 

Term Deposits Greater than $100,000

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Average

 

Term Deposits by Maturity

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

Amount

 

Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months or less

 

$

1,000

 

2.98

%

$

37,000

 

1.96

%

Over three months through six months

 

 

 

1,000

 

2.98

 

Over six months through 12 months

 

990

 

0.72

 

 

 

Greater than 12 months (1)

 

26,250

 

4.19

 

26,250

 

4.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

$

28,240

 

4.02

%

$

64,250

 

2.89

%

 


(1)          Represents eight term deposit accounts totaling $6.3 million with maturity dates in 2011, and one term deposit totaling $20.0 million with a maturity date in 2014.

 

Capital

 

The Bank is subject to risk-based capital rules established by the Finance Agency. Only permanent capital, defined as retained earnings plus Class B stock, can satisfy the risk-based capital requirement. The Bank has remained in compliance with these requirements through March 31, 2009, as noted in the following table.

 

Risk-Based Capital Requirements

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Permanent capital

 

 

 

 

 

Class B capital stock

 

$

3,604,513

 

$

3,584,720

 

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

90,886

 

93,406

 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

245,919

 

(19,749

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Permanent capital

 

$

3,941,318

 

$

3,658,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk-based capital requirement

 

 

 

 

 

Credit-risk capital

 

$

410,660

 

$

215,514

 

Market-risk capital

 

1,636,751

 

1,425,551

 

Operations-risk capital

 

614,223

 

492,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total risk-based capital requirement

 

$

2,661,634

 

$

2,133,384

 

 

The Bank’s credit-risk-based capital requirement, as defined by the Finance Agency’s risk-based capital rules whereby assets are assigned risk-adjusted weightings based on asset type and, for advances and nonmortgage assets, tenor, increased by $195.1 million due to downgrades of the credit ratings of private-label MBS assets and the growth in money-market investments from December 31, 2008, to March 31, 2009.

 

The Bank’s market value of equity to its book value of equity increased slightly from 48.3 percent at December 31, 2008, to 49.3 percent at March 31, 2009. See Part I — Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Measurement of

 

50



Table of Contents

 

Market and Interest Rate Risk for further discussion. Under Finance Agency regulations, the dollar amount by which the Bank’s market value of equity is less than 85 percent of its book value of equity must be added to the market-risk component of its risk-based capital requirement. As of March 31, 2009, this incremental risk-based capital total was $1.5 billion. Management believes that the decline in the ratio of the Bank’s market value of equity to its book value of equity is temporary and will recover as liquidity returns to the MBS market. However, management cannot predict how long MBS prices will remain depressed, and the current situation could persist for an extended period of time. Further, in the event of further credit deterioration in excess of the Bank’s expectations, realized credit losses in the Bank’s private-label MBS investments would serve to limit the recovery of capital ratios including the risk-based capital ratio. To date, though, the Bank has not realized any loss of contractual principal or interest in these holdings.

 

In addition to the risk-based capital requirements, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 specifies a five percent minimum leverage ratio based on total capital using a 1.5 weighting factor applied to permanent capital, and a four percent minimum capital ratio that does not include a weighting factor applicable to permanent capital. The Bank was in compliance with these requirements through March 31, 2009.

 

The following table provides the Bank’s capital ratios as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

 

Capital Ratio Requirements

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Capital ratio

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum capital (4% of total assets)

 

$

3,055,172

 

$

3,214,127

 

Actual capital (capital stock plus retained earnings)

 

3,941,318

 

3,658,377

 

Total assets

 

76,379,296

 

80,353,167

 

Capital ratio (permanent capital as a percentage of total assets)

 

5.2

%

4.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage ratio

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum leverage capital (5% of total assets)

 

$

3,818,965

 

$

4,017,658

 

Leverage capital (permanent capital multiplied by a 1.5 weighting factor)

 

5,911,976

 

5,487,565

 

Leverage ratio (leverage capital as a percentage of total assets)

 

7.7

%

6.8

%

 

Derivative Instruments

 

SFAS 133 requires all derivative instruments be recorded on the statement of condition at fair value, while FASB Interpretation No. 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts, allows derivative instruments to be classified as assets or liabilities according to the net fair value of derivatives aggregated by counterparty. Derivative assets’ net fair value, net of cash collateral and accrued interest, totaled $28.7 million and $28.9 million as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. Derivative liabilities’ net fair value, net of cash collateral and accrued interest, totaled $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

The following table presents a summary of the notional amounts and estimated fair values of the Bank’s outstanding derivative financial instruments, excluding accrued interest, and related hedged item by product and type of accounting treatment as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008. The hedge designation “fair value” represents the hedge classification for transactions that qualify for hedge-accounting treatment in accordance with SFAS 133 and are hedged with the benchmark interest rate. The hedge designation “economic” represents hedge strategies that do not qualify for hedge accounting under the guidelines of SFAS 133, but are acceptable hedging strategies under the Bank’s risk-management policy.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Hedged Item and Hedge-Accounting Treatment

As of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS 133

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge

 

Notional

 

Estimated

 

Notional

 

Estimated

 

Hedged Item

 

Derivative

 

Designation

 

Amount

 

Fair Value

 

Amount

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

Swaps

 

Fair value

 

$

14,474,059

 

$

(992,375

)

$

15,401,359

 

$

(1,113,240

)

 

 

Swaps

 

Economic

 

111,250

 

(5,534

)

111,250

 

(5,716

)

 

 

Caps and floors

 

Economic

 

66,500

 

254

 

66,500

 

294

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total associated with advances

 

 

 

 

 

14,651,809

 

(997,655

)

15,579,109

 

(1,118,662

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

Swaps

 

Fair value

 

932,131

 

(336,526

)

932,131

 

(394,526

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities

 

Swaps

 

Economic

 

46,500

 

(2,193

)

46,500

 

(2,413

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated obligations

 

Swaps

 

Fair value

 

14,575,471

 

269,298

 

14,190,223

 

321,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

Swaps

 

Fair value

 

20,000

 

6,073

 

20,000

 

6,414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Member intermediated

 

Caps and floors

 

Not applicable

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

30,225,911

 

(1,061,003

)

30,782,963

 

(1,188,048

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage delivery commitments (1)

 

 

 

 

 

20,634

 

7

 

32,672

 

(365

)

Forward contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

(133

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

$

30,246,545

 

(1,060,996

)

$

30,825,635

 

(1,188,546

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59,627

 

 

 

89,788

 

Cash collateral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,144

)

 

 

(46,101

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,026,513

)

 

 

$

(1,144,859

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative asset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

28,738

 

 

 

$

28,935

 

Derivative liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,055,251

)

 

 

(1,173,794

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,026,513

)

 

 

$

(1,144,859

)

 


(1)          Mortgage-delivery commitments are classified as derivatives pursuant to SFAS 149, with changes in fair value recorded in other income.

 

The following four tables provide a summary of the Bank’s hedging relationships for fair-value hedges of advances and COs that qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133, by year of contractual maturity, next put date for putable advances, and next call date for callable COs. Interest accruals on interest-rate-exchange agreements in SFAS 133-qualifying hedge relationships are recorded as interest income on advances and interest expense on COs in the statement of income. The notional amount of derivatives in SFAS 133-qualifying hedge relationships of advances and COs totals $29.0 billion, representing 96.0 percent of all derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2009. Economic hedges are not included within the four tables below.

 

SFAS 133 Fair Value Hedge Relationships of Advances

By Year of Contractual Maturity

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

Weighted-Average Yield (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS 133

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Receive

 

Pay

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

Hedged

 

Adjustment

 

 

 

Floating

 

Fixed

 

Net Receive

 

Maturity

 

Notional

 

Fair Value

 

Amount

 

(1)

 

Advances

 

Rate

 

Rate

 

Result

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

2,684,449

 

$

(46,154

)

$

2,684,449

 

$

46,145

 

4.37

%

1.22

%

4.33

%

1.26

%

Due after one year through two years

 

3,340,925

 

(155,552

)

3,340,925

 

154,507

 

4.45

 

1.25

 

4.36

 

1.34

 

Due after two years through three years

 

1,364,500

 

(89,714

)

1,364,500

 

89,283

 

4.30

 

1.26

 

4.20

 

1.36

 

Due after three years through four years

 

2,013,350

 

(138,540

)

2,013,350

 

137,987

 

3.87

 

1.26

 

3.80

 

1.33

 

Due after four years through five years

 

966,360

 

(96,126

)

966,360

 

95,768

 

4.48

 

1.26

 

4.34

 

1.40

 

Thereafter

 

4,104,475

 

(466,289

)

4,104,475

 

461,648

 

4.02

 

1.24

 

3.87

 

1.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

14,474,059

 

$

(992,375

)

$

14,474,059

 

$

985,338

 

4.22

%

1.25

%

4.12

%

1.35

%

 


(1)          The SFAS 133 fair-value adjustment of hedged advances represents the amounts recorded for changes in the fair value attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate, LIBOR.

(2)          The yield for floating-rate instruments and the floating leg of interest-rate swaps is the coupon rate in effect as of March 31, 2009.

 

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SFAS 133 Fair Value Hedge Relationships of Advances

By Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Put Date for Putable Advances

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances

 

Weighted-Average Yield (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS 133

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Receive

 

Pay

 

 

 

Maturity or Next Put

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

 

Floating

 

Fixed

 

Net Receive

 

Date

 

Notional

 

Fair Value

 

Hedged Amount

 

(1)

 

Advances

 

Rate

 

Rate

 

Result

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

9,242,924

 

$

(628,962

)

$

9,242,924

 

$

623,088

 

4.33

%

1.25

%

4.20

%

1.38

%

Due after one year through two years

 

2,212,825

 

(105,333

)

2,212,825

 

104,715

 

3.92

 

1.24

 

3.89

 

1.27

 

Due after two years through three years

 

1,478,200

 

(108,981

)

1,478,200

 

108,528

 

3.96

 

1.24

 

3.86

 

1.34

 

Due after three years through four years

 

869,800

 

(74,169

)

869,800

 

74,188

 

4.11

 

1.24

 

4.08

 

1.27

 

Due after four years through five years

 

518,110

 

(51,128

)

518,110

 

51,097

 

4.25

 

1.23

 

4.18

 

1.30

 

Thereafter

 

152,200

 

(23,802

)

152,200

 

23,722

 

5.05

 

1.27

 

5.08

 

1.24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

14,474,059

 

$

(992,375

)

$

14,474,059

 

$

985,338

 

4.22

%

1.25

%

4.12

%

1.35

%

 


(1)          The SFAS 133 fair-value adjustment of hedged advances represents the amounts recorded for changes in the fair value attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate, LIBOR.

(2)          The yield for floating-rate instruments and the floating leg of interest-rate swaps is the coupon rate in effect as of March 31, 2009.

 

SFAS 133 Fair Value Hedge Relationships of Consolidated Obligations

By Year of Contractual Maturity

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CO Bonds & Discount Notes

 

Weighted-Average Yield (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS 133 Fair

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

Pay

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

Adjustment

 

CO Bonds

 

Receive

 

Floating

 

Net Pay

 

Year of Maturity

 

Notional

 

Fair Value

 

Hedged Amount

 

(1)

 

& DNs

 

Fixed Rate

 

Rate

 

Result

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

9,436,714

 

$

17,341

 

$

9,436,714

 

$

(17,175

)

1.57

%

1.56

%

0.72

%

0.73

%

Due after one year through two years

 

1,751,260

 

27,879

 

1,751,260

 

(28,052

)

2.41

 

2.50

 

1.14

 

1.05

 

Due after two years through three years

 

670,000

 

14,252

 

670,000

 

(14,353

)

3.50

 

3.31

 

1.26

 

1.45

 

Due after three years through four years

 

555,000

 

21,463

 

555,000

 

(21,550

)

3.97

 

3.98

 

1.03

 

1.02

 

Due after four years through five years

 

1,051,000

 

61,768

 

1,051,000

 

(62,096

)

3.92

 

3.79

 

1.30

 

1.43

 

Thereafter

 

1,111,497

 

126,595

 

1,111,497

 

(127,678

)

5.32

 

5.33

 

1.58

 

1.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

14,575,471

 

$

269,298

 

$

14,575,471

 

$

(270,904

)

2.31

%

2.29

%

0.92

%

0.94

%

 


(1)          The SFAS 133 fair-value adjustment of hedged CO bonds and discount notes represents the amounts recorded for changes in the fair value attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate, LIBOR.

(2)          The yield for floating-rate instruments and the floating leg of interest-rate swaps is the coupon rate in effect as of March 31, 2009. For discount notes and zero coupon bonds, the yield represents the yield to maturity.

 

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SFAS 133 Fair Value Hedge Relationships of Consolidated Obligations

By Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date for Callable Consolidated Obligations

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

CO Bonds & Discount Notes

 

Weighted-Average Yield (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SFAS 133 Fair

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

Maturity or Next Call

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

Value
Adjustment

 

CO Bonds

 

Receive

 

Pay
Floating

 

Net Pay

 

Date

 

Notional

 

Fair Value

 

Hedged Amount

 

(1)

 

& DNs

 

Fixed Rate

 

Rate

 

Result

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

10,338,549

 

$

31,596

 

$

10,338,549

 

$

(31,677

)

1.83

%

1.82

%

0.74

%

0.75

%

Due after one year through two years

 

1,755,922

 

31,566

 

1,755,922

 

(31,578

)

2.56

 

2.64

 

1.13

 

1.05

 

Due after two years through three years

 

400,000

 

11,492

 

400,000

 

(11,487

)

3.39

 

3.07

 

1.43

 

1.75

 

Due after three years through four years

 

275,000

 

16,909

 

275,000

 

(16,909

)

3.55

 

3.57

 

0.98

 

0.96

 

Due after four years through five years

 

971,000

 

58,934

 

971,000

 

(59,239

)

3.80

 

3.65

 

1.35

 

1.50

 

Thereafter

 

835,000

 

118,801

 

835,000

 

(120,014

)

5.05

 

5.06

 

1.88

 

1.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

14,575,471

 

$

269,298

 

$

14,575,471

 

$

(270,904

)

2.31

%

2.29

%

0.92

%

0.94

%

 


(1)          The SFAS 133 fair-value adjustment of hedged CO bonds and discount notes represents the amounts recorded for changes in the fair value attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate, LIBOR.

(2)          The yield for floating-rate instruments and the floating leg of interest-rate swaps is the coupon rate in effect as of March 31, 2009. For discount notes and zero coupon bonds, the yield represents the yield to maturity.

 

The Bank has entered into derivative contracts with its members in which the Bank acts as an intermediary between the member and a derivative counterparty. The Bank also engages in derivatives directly with affiliates of certain of the Bank’s members, which act as derivatives dealers to the Bank. These derivative contracts are entered into for the Bank’s own risk-management purposes and are not related to requests from the Bank’s members to enter into such contracts.

 

Outstanding Derivative Contracts with Members and Affiliates of Members

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

Derivatives Counterparty

 

Affiliate Member

 

Primary
Relationship

 

Notional
Outstanding

 

Percent of Total
Derivatives
Outstanding (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America, N.A.

 

Bank of America Rhode Island, N.A.

 

Dealer

 

$

2,862,025

 

9.47

%

Royal Bank of Scotland, PLC

 

RBS Citizens, N.A.

 

Dealer

 

1,304,260

 

4.32

 

 


(1)          The percent of total derivatives outstanding is based on the stated notional amount of all derivative contracts outstanding.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The Bank’s financial strategies are designed to enable the Bank to expand and contract its assets, liabilities, and capital in response to changes in membership composition and member credit needs. The Bank’s liquidity and capital resources are designed to support these financial strategies. The Bank’s primary source of liquidity is its access to the capital markets through CO issuance, which is described in Item 1 — Business — Consolidated Obligations of the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Bank’s equity capital resources are governed by the capital plan, which is described under Capital below.

 

Liquidity

 

The Bank strives to maintain the liquidity necessary to meet member-credit demands, repay maturing COs, meet other obligations and commitments, and respond to changes in membership composition. The Bank monitors its financial position in an effort to ensure that

 

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it has ready access to sufficient liquid funds to meet normal transaction requirements, take advantage of investment opportunities, and cover unforeseen liquidity demands.

 

The Bank is not able to predict future trends in member-credit needs since they are driven by complex interactions among a number of factors, including, but not limited to: mortgage originations, other loan portfolio growth, deposit growth, and the attractiveness of the pricing and availability of advances versus other wholesale borrowing alternatives. However, the Bank regularly monitors current trends and anticipates future debt-issuance needs in an effort to be prepared to fund its members’ credit needs and its investment opportunities.

 

Short-term liquidity-management practices are described in Part I — Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Liquidity Risk. The Bank manages its liquidity needs to ensure that it is able to meet all of its contractual obligations and operating expenditures as they come due and to support its members’ daily liquidity needs. Through the Bank’s contingency liquidity plans, the Bank attempts to ensure that it is able to meet its obligations and the liquidity needs of members in the event of operational disruptions at the Bank or the Office of Finance or short-term disruptions of the capital markets.

 

Under the Federal Home Loan Banks P&I Funding Contingency Plan Agreement (the Agreement), which became effective in 2006, in the event the Bank does not fund its principal and interest payments under a CO by deadlines established in the Agreement, the 11 other FHLBanks will be obligated to fund any shortfall in funding to the extent that any of the 11 other FHLBanks have a net positive settlement balance (that is, the amount by which end-of-day proceeds received by such FHLBank from the sale of COs on one day exceeds payments by such FHLBank on COs on the same day) in its account with the Office of Finance on the day the shortfall occurs. The Bank would then be required to repay the funding FHLBanks.

 

As protection against temporary disruptions in access to the CO debt markets and in accordance with related Finance Agency guidance, the Bank strengthened its contingency-liquidity plans to add a requirement that the Bank maintain sufficient liquidity, through short-term investments, in an amount at least equal to our anticipated cash outflows under certain scenarios, as more fully described in Part I — Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Liquidity Risk. The Bank also has contingent liquidity through a lending agreement the Bank entered into in 2008 with the U.S. Treasury in connection with the U.S. Treasury’s establishment of the GSECF. The GSECF is a lending facility that is an additional source of liquidity for the FHLBanks, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae. Funding thereunder would be provided directly by the U.S. Treasury in exchange for eligible collateral, which is limited to guaranteed MBS issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae as well as advances by the Bank to its members. Loans will be for short-term durations and no loans will be made with a maturity date beyond December 31, 2009. Any borrowings by the Bank under the GSECF are COs with the same joint and several liability as all other COs. The terms of the borrowings are agreed to at the time of issuance. The maximum borrowings under the lending agreement are based on eligible collateral. As of March 31, 2009, the Bank had not drawn on the GSECF. The Bank’s contingency-liquidity plans are further described in Part I — Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Liquidity Risk.

 

The CO debt markets continue to experience volatile pricing, particularly for CO bonds with long-term maturities due to the continuing U.S. economic recession, shocks to the global capital markets experienced during the second half of 2008, and U.S. federal government responses thereto. Some of the government’s responses have tended to create a market perception that FHLBank debt obligations would not receive the same level of federal governmental support as other debt obligations, causing yield spreads for long-term CO debt to remain elevated relative to historical norms. For example, the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program is a program designed to assist commercial banks in issuing debt under which the FDIC guarantees certain unsecured obligations of banks and other financial institutions and is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S., while FHLBank debt does not have such support.

 

The Bank’s long-term funding costs have improved somewhat during the first quarter of 2009, a trend that has continued into the second quarter of 2009, although long-term funding costs still remain at levels higher than historical norms. This improvement coincides with continued purchases of GSE debt by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York pursuant to the GSE debt-purchase initiative, described under Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments in this Item; improved success in placing long-term CO bonds with investors through negotiated transactions relative to the fourth quarter of 2008; and the resumption of the placement of long-term CO bonds through public issuances, where such public issuances were limited during the second half of 2008 due to investor preference for short-term investments, a trend that we believe may have abated somewhat. The FHLBanks issued a total of $127.2 billion par value of CO bonds during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, an increase of $65.1 billion over the $62.1 billion par value issued during the quarter ended December 31, 2008.

 

Capital

 

The Bank’s ability to expand in response to member-credit needs is based primarily on the capital-stock requirements for advances. Members are required to increase their capital-stock investment in the Bank as their outstanding advances increase. The capital-stock requirement for advances is currently based on the original term to maturity of the advances, as follows:

 

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·                  3.0 percent for overnight advances;

 

·                  4.0 percent for advances with an original maturity greater than overnight and up to three months; and

 

·                  4.5 percent for all other advances.

 

The Bank’s minimum capital-to-assets leverage limit is 4.0 percent based on Finance Agency requirements. The additional capital stock from higher balances of advances expands the Bank’s capacity to issue COs, which are used not only to support the increase in these balances but also to increase the Bank’s purchases of mortgage loans, MBS, and other investments.

 

The Bank can also contract its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements in response to members’ reduced credit needs. Member-credit needs that result in reduced advance and mortgage-loan balances will result in capital stock in excess of the amount required by the Bank’s capital plan. The Bank’s capital-stock policies allow the Bank to repurchase excess capital stock if a member reduces its advance balances. In May 2006, the Bank implemented its Excess Stock Repurchase Program to help it manage its capital by reducing the amount of excess capital stock held by members. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Bank did not complete any repurchases of excess capital stock under this program.

 

The Bank may also, at its sole discretion, repurchase shares of excess stock upon request by members. However, effective December 8, 2008, the Bank placed a moratorium on all excess stock repurchases to help preserve the Bank’s capital in light of the various challenges to the Bank, including the growth in unrealized losses on the Bank’s portfolio of held-to-maturity private-label MBS, discussed in Part I — Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Credit Risk — Investments, as well as growth in competition for advances based on certain U.S. federal government responses to the shocks to the global capital markets and the broadening and deepening U.S. economic recession, including the responses discussed in this Item under Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Bank repurchased capital stock totaling $1.5 million, which represented excess stock repurchase requests that were already outstanding at the time the Bank announced its moratorium on excess stock repurchases.

 

Also subject to a five-year stock-redemption period are shares of capital stock held by a member that either gives notice of intent to withdraw from membership, or becomes a nonmember due to merger or acquisition, charter termination, or involuntary termination of membership. Capital stock subject to the five-year stock-redemption period is reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock in the liability section of the statement of condition. Mandatorily redeemable capital stock totaled $90.9 million and $93.4 million at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively. The following table summarizes the anticipated stock-redemption period for these shares of capital stock as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

Anticipated Stock-Redemption Period

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in less than one year

 

$

4,185

 

$

4,185

 

Due after one year through two years

 

103

 

103

 

Due after two years through three years

 

 

 

Due after three years through four years

 

 

2,520

 

Due after four years through five years

 

86,598

 

86,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mandatorily redeemable capital stock

 

$

90,886

 

$

93,406

 

 

Members may submit a written request for redemption of excess capital stock. The shares of capital stock subject to the redemption request will be redeemed at par value by the Bank upon expiration of a five-year stock-redemption period, provided that the member continues to meet its total stock-investment requirement at that time and that the Bank would remain in compliance with its minimum capital requirements. While historically the Bank has repurchased excess capital stock at a member’s request prior to the expiration of the redemption period, the decision to repurchase remains at the Bank’s discretion at all times.

 

The Bank is not required to redeem or repurchase activity-based stock until the later of the expiration of the five-year notice of redemption or the termination of the related activity. If activity-based stock becomes excess capital stock as a result of the termination of the related activity, the Bank may, in its sole discretion, repurchase the excess activity-based stock prior to the expiration of the five-year redemption notice period, provided that it would continue to meet its minimum regulatory capital requirements after the redemption.

 

A member may cancel or revoke its written notice of redemption or its notice of withdrawal from membership prior to the end of the five-year stock-redemption period. The Bank’s capital plan provides that the Bank will charge the member a cancellation fee equal to two percent of the par amount of the shares of Class B stock that is the subject of the redemption notice. The Bank will assess a

 

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Table of Contents

 

redemption-cancellation fee unless the board of directors decides that it has a bona fide business purpose for waiving the imposition of the fee, and the waiver is consistent with Section 7(j) of the FHLBank Act.

 

At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, members and nonmembers with capital stock outstanding held $961.9 million and $677.3 million, respectively, in excess capital stock. The following table summarizes member capital stock requirements as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Membership Stock
Investment
Requirement

 

Activity-Based
Stock
Requirement

 

Total Stock
Investment
Requirement (1)

 

Outstanding Class B
Capital Stock (2)

 

Excess Class B
Capital Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

$

565,808

 

$

2,167,700

 

$

2,733,530

 

$

3,695,399

 

$

961,869

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

530,263

 

2,470,559

 

3,000,843

 

3,678,126

 

677,283

 

 


(1)               Total stock-investment requirement is rounded up to the nearest $100 on an individual member basis.

(2)               Class B capital stock outstanding includes mandatorily redeemable capital stock.

 

Retained Earnings Target. On December 14, 2008, the Bank’s board of directors adopted a retained earnings target of $600.0 million (the retained earnings target was $213.0 million at December 31, 2007), in connection with the Bank’s efforts to preserve capital in light of the various challenges to the Bank, including the growth in unrealized losses on the Bank’s portfolio of held-to-maturity private-label MBS, discussed in Part I — Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Credit Risk — Investments, as well as growth in competition for advances based on certain U.S. federal government responses to the shocks to the global capital markets and the broadening and deepening U.S. economic recession, including such responses discussed in this Item under Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments. While no specific date has been set for reaching this level of retained earnings, it is expected that the increase of retained earnings will occur over the next several years. At March 31, 2009, the Bank had retained earnings of $245.9 million.

 

The Bank’s retained earnings target could be superseded by Finance Agency mandates, either in the form of an order specific to the Bank or by promulgation of new regulations requiring a level of retained earnings that is different from the Bank’s currently targeted level. Moreover, management and the board of directors of the Bank may, at any time, change the Bank’s methodology or assumptions for modeling the Bank’s retained earnings requirement. Either of these could result in the Bank further increasing its retained earnings target or reducing the dividend payout, as necessary.

 

Capital Requirements

 

The FHLBank Act and Finance Agency regulations specify that each FHLBank must meet certain minimum regulatory capital standards. The Bank must maintain (1) total capital in an amount equal to at least 4.0 percent of its total assets, (2) leverage capital in an amount equal to at least 5.0 percent of its total assets, and (3) permanent capital in an amount equal to at least its regulatory risk-based capital requirement. In addition, the Finance Agency has indicated that mandatorily redeemable capital stock is considered capital for regulatory purposes. At March 31, 2009, the Bank had a total capital to assets ratio of 5.2 percent, a leverage capital to assets ratio of 7.7 percent, and a risk-based capital requirement of $2.7 billion, which was satisfied by the Bank’s permanent capital of $3.9 billion. At December 31, 2008, the Bank had a total capital to assets ratio of 4.6 percent, a leverage capital to assets ratio of 6.8 percent, and a risk-based capital requirement of $2.1 billion, which was satisfied by the Bank’s permanent capital of $3.7 billion. Permanent capital is defined as total capital stock outstanding, including mandatorily redeemable capital stock, plus retained earnings. See Financial Condition — Capital in this Item for discussion concerning the increase in the Bank’s risk-based capital requirement.

 

Effective January 30, 2009, the Finance Agency promulgated an interim final rule on capital classifications and critical capital levels for the FHLBanks (the Interim Capital Rule). The Interim Capital Rule, among other things, established criteria for four capital classifications and corrective action requirements for FHLBanks that are classified in any classification other than adequately capitalized. The Interim Capital Rule requires the Director to determine on no less than a quarterly basis the capital classification of each FHLBank. The Director has not yet made this determination for the Bank. Each FHLBank is required to notify the Director within 10 calendar days of any event or development that has caused or is likely to cause its permanent or total capital to fall below  the level necessary to maintain its assigned capital classification. See Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capital Requirements of the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations

 

The Bank’s significant off-balance-sheet arrangements consist of the following:

 

·                  commitments that legally bind and obligate the Bank for additional advances;

 

·                  standby letters of credit;

 

·                  commitments for unused lines-of-credit advances;

 

·                  standby bond-purchase agreements with state housing authorities; and

 

·                  unsettled COs.

 

Off-balance-sheet arrangements are more fully discussed in Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies to the Bank’s 2008 financial statements in the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The Bank is required to pay 20 percent of its net earnings (after its AHP obligation) to REFCorp to support payment of part of the interest on bonds issued by REFCorp. The Bank must make these payments to REFCorp until the total amount of payments made by all FHLBanks is equivalent to a $300 million annual annuity with a final maturity date of April 15, 2030. Additionally, the FHLBanks must annually set aside for the AHP the greater of an aggregate of $100 million or 10 percent of the current year’s income before charges for AHP (but after expenses for REFCorp). See Item 1 — Business — Assessments of the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding REFCorp and AHP assessments.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make a number of judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities (if applicable), and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reported periods. Although management believes these judgments, estimates, and assumptions to be reasonably accurate, actual results may differ.

 

The Bank has identified five accounting estimates that it believes are critical because they require management to make subjective or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain, and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. These estimates include accounting for derivatives, the use of fair-value estimates, accounting for deferred premiums and discounts on prepayable assets, the allowance for loan losses, and other-than-temporary-impairment of investment securities. The Bank’s Audit Committee of the board of directors has reviewed these estimates. The assumptions involved in applying these policies are discussed in Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Estimates in the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

As of March 31, 2009, the Bank had not made any significant changes to the estimates and assumptions used in applying its critical accounting policies and estimates from those used to prepare its audited financial statements, except as described below.

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities

 

The Bank evaluates held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities in an unrealized loss position as of the end of each quarter for other-than-temporary impairment. This evaluation requires management judgment and a consideration of many factors, including but not limited to, the severity and duration of the impairment, recent events specific to the issuer and/or the industry to which the issuer belongs, an analysis of cash flows based on default and prepayment assumptions, and external credit ratings. Although external rating agency action or a change in a security’s external rating is one criterion in our assessment of other-than-temporary impairment, a rating action alone is not necessarily indicative of other-than-temporary impairment.

 

For debt securities, FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 requires an entity to assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the debt security, or (b) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an other-than-temporary impairment on the security must be recognized. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected (discounted at the security’s effective yield) is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred because the entire amortized cost basis of the security will not be recovered. The Bank considers whether or not it will recover the entire amortized cost of the security by comparing the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security (discounted at the security’s effective yield) with the amortized cost basis of the security. These evaluations are inherently subjective and consider a number of qualitative factors. In addition to monitoring the credit ratings of these securities for downgrades, as well as placement on negative outlook or credit watch, the Bank’s management evaluates other factors that may be indicative of other-than-temporary impairment. These include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the type of security, the length of time and extent to which the fair value of a security has been less than its cost, any credit enhancement or

 

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insurance, and certain other collateral-related characteristics such as FICO credit scores, loan-to-value ratios, delinquency and foreclosure rates, geographic concentrations and the security’s performance. If the Bank’s initial analysis identifies securities at risk of other-than-temporary impairment, the Bank performs additional testing of these investments, which are typically private-label mortgage-backed securities and home equity loans. At-risk securities are evaluated by estimating projected cash flows using models that incorporate projections and assumptions typically based on the structure of the security and certain economic environment assumptions such as delinquency and default rates, loss severity on the collateral supporting the Bank’s security, based on underlying loan level borrower and loan characteristics, home price appreciation/depreciation, interest rates and securities prepayment speeds while factoring in the underlying collateral and credit enhancement. A significant input to such analysis is the forecast of housing price changes for the relevant states and metropolitan statistical areas, which are based on an assessment of the relevant housing market. In response to the ongoing deterioration in housing prices, credit market stress, and weakness in the U.S. economy in the first quarter of 2009, which continued to affect the credit quality of the collateral, the Bank modified certain assumptions in its cash flow analysis to reflect more extreme loss severities and more moderate rates of housing price recovery than it used in its analysis as of December 31, 2008. The loan level cash flows and losses are allocated to various security classes, including the security classes owned by the Bank, based on the cash flow and loss allocation rules of the individual security.

 

In accordance with the Finance Agency Other Than Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance, described under Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments in this Item, as part of its analysis of other-than-temporary impairment of residential MBS issued by entities other than GSEs, the Bank uses estimated cash flows based on key modeling assumptions provided by the FHLBank of San Francisco for its private-label MBS other than subprime, private-label MBS. To effect consistency among the FHLBanks that have subprime private-label MBS, the FHLBanks, including the Bank, have selected the FHLBank of Chicago’s platform, and the FHLBank of Chicago have provided the Bank with the key modeling assumptions for such private-label MBS and also has run the cash flow analysis for the Bank as the Bank does not have the same platform necessary to mirror the FHLBank of Chicago’s loan-level analysis of such securities. In the event that the FHLBank of Chicago does not have the ability to model a particular subprime MBS owned by the Bank, the latter will project the expected cash flows for that security based on the Bank’s expectations as to how the underlying collateral and impact on deal structure resultant from collateral cash flows are forecasted to occur over time. The Bank continues to select its modeling assumptions and run its cash flow analysis for commercial private-label MBS. For these analyses, third-party models are employed to project expected losses associated with the underlying loan collateral and to model the resultant lifetime cash flows as to how they would pass through the deal structures underlying the Bank’s MBS investments. These models use expected borrower default rates, projected loss severities, and forecasted voluntary prepayment speeds, all tailored to individual security product type. The Bank performs analysis based on expected behavior of the loans, whereby these loan-performance scenarios are applied against each security’s credit-support structure to monitor credit-enhancement sufficiency to protect the Bank’s investment. The model output includes projected cash flows, including any shortfalls in the capacity of the underlying collateral to fully return all contractual cash flows. Any changes to the assumptions for other-than-temporary impairment analysis as set forth in this section could result in materially different outcomes to this analysis including the realization of additional other-than-temporary impairment charges, which may be substantial.

 

In instances in which a determination is made that a credit loss (defined by FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the security’s effective yield, and the amortized cost basis) exists, but the Bank does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not likely that the Bank will be required to sell the debt security before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis (that is, the amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss), FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 changes the presentation and amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in the income statement. In these instances, the impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total impairment related to the credit loss, and (b) the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. If the Bank’s cash-flow analysis results in a present value of expected cash flows (discounted at the security’s effective yield) that is less than the amortized cost basis of a security (that is, a credit loss exists), an other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred. If the Bank determines that an other-than-temporary impairment exists, it accounts for the investment security as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the other-than-temporary impairment at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less than other-than-temporary impairment recognized in non-interest income. The difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted into interest income prospectively over the remaining life of the investment security based on the amount and timing of future estimated cash flows.

 

See Part I — Item 1 — Notes to the Financial Statements — Note 5 — Held-to-Maturity Securities and Part I — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations for additional information related to management’s other-than-temporary impairment analysis for the current period.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

 

FSP FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (FSP FAS 157-2). On February 12, 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 157-2, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) until January 1, 2009, for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are

 

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recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The requirements of SFAS 157 apply to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities addressed by FSP FAS 157-2 for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Bank adopted FSP FAS 157-2 on January 1, 2009. Its adoption did not have a material effect on the Banks’ financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesan Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161). On March 19, 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, which is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption allowed. The Bank’s adoption of SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009, resulted in increased financial statement disclosures. See Part I — Item 1 — Notes to the Financial Statements — Note 8 — Derivatives and Hedging Activities for required disclosures.

 

FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2). On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, which amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational, and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairment on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired and changes the presentation and calculation of the other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities recognized in earnings. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to the other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities. FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 expands and increases the frequency of existing disclosures about other-than-temporary impairment for debt and equity securities and requires new disclosures to help users of financial statements understand the significant inputs used in determining a credit loss, as well as a rollforward of that amount each period.

 

For debt securities, FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 requires an entity to assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the debt security, or (b) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an other-than-temporary impairment on the security must be recognized.

 

In instances in which a determination is made that a credit loss (defined by FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis) exists but the entity does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not likely that the entity will be required to sell the debt security before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis (i.e., the amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss), FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 changes the presentation and amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in the financial statements. In these instances, the impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total impairment related to the credit loss, and (b) the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive loss. Subsequent non-other-than-temporary impairment related increases and decreases in the fair value of available-for-sale securities will be included in other comprehensive loss. The other-than-temporary impairment recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to held-to-maturity securities is accreted to the carrying value of each security on a prospective basis, over the remaining life of each security. That accretion increases the carrying value of each security and continues until this security is sold or matures, or there is an additional other-than-temporary impairment that is recognized in earnings. The total other-than-temporary impairment is presented in the statement of income with an offset for the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment that is recognized in other comprehensive loss. Previously, in all cases, if an impairment was determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment loss was recognized in earnings in an amount equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment was made. The new presentation provides additional information about the amounts that the entity does not expect to collect related to a debt security.

 

FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 is effective and should be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods ending after March 15, 2009. Early adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 also requires early adoption of FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. When adopting FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, an entity is required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption to reclassify the non-credit component of a previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive loss if the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not likely that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

 

The Bank adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of January 1, 2009, and recognized the effects of applying FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as a change in accounting principle. The Bank recognized the $349.1 million cumulative effect of initially applying FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as an adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2009, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss. The following table illustrates the effect of adoption.

 

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Impact of Adopting FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2

As of January 1, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Amount prior
to Adoption

 

Effect of
Adoption

 

Amount after
Adoption

 

CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital stock — Class B — putable ($100 par value), 35,847 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008

 

$

3,584,720

 

$

 

$

3,584,720

 

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

 

(19,749

)

349,106

 

329,357

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized loss on held-to-maturity securities

 

 

(349,106

)

(349,106

)

Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

(130,480

)

 

(130,480

)

Net unrealized loss relating to hedging activities

 

(379

)

 

(379

)

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

(3,887

)

 

(3,887

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capital

 

$

3,430,225

 

$

 

$

3,430,225

 

 

FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That are Not Orderly (FSP FAS 157-4). On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. FSP FAS 157-4 also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FSP FAS 157-4 will be applied prospectively. FSP FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity early adopting this FSP must also early adopt FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. The Bank adopted FSP FAS 157-4 effective January 1, 2009. See Note 15 — Estimated Fair Values for further details. The Bank’s adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 did not have a material effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1). On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, which amends the disclosure requirements in FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (SFAS 107) and APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting (APB 28) to require disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments within the scope of SFAS 107, including disclosure of the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments, in interim financial statements as well as in annual financial statements. Previously, these disclosures were required only in annual financial statements. FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 is effective and should be applied prospectively for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods ending after March 15, 2009. An entity may early adopt this FSP only if it also elects to early adopt FSP FAS 157-4 and FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. In periods after initial adoption, FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending subsequent to initial adoption and does not require earlier periods to be disclosed for comparative purposes at initial adoption. The Bank adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 on January 1, 2009. Its adoption resulted in increased interim financial statement disclosures, but did not have an effect on the Bank’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. See Note 15 — Estimated Fair Values for further details.

 

RECENT LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

 

Finance Agency Guidance for Determining Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

 

On April 28, 2009 and May 7, 2009, the Finance Agency provided us and the other 11 FHLBanks with guidance on the process for determining other-than-temporary impairment with respect to our holdings of private-label MBS and our adoption of  FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2. The goal of the guidance is to promote consistency in the determination of other-than-temporary impairment for private-label MBS among all FHLBanks based on the understanding that investors in the consolidated debt of the FHLBanks can better understand and utilize the information in the combined financial reports if it is prepared on a consistent basis. Recognizing that many of the FHLBanks desired to early adopt FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2, the guidance also requires that all FHLBanks early adopt FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2 in order to achieve consistency among the 12 FHLBanks and to follow certain guidelines for determining other-than-temporary impairment.

 

Under the guidance, each FHLBank continues to identify private-label MBS it holds that should be subject to a cash-flow analysis consistent with GAAP and other regulatory guidance. To effect consistency in the cash-flow analysis by ensuring the use of consistent key modeling assumptions, the Finance Agency guidance requires that for the first quarter of 2009, the FHLBank of San Francisco will provide the other FHLBanks with assumptions to be used by all FHLBanks for purposes of producing cash-flow analyses used in analyzing credit losses and determining other-than-temporary impairment for residential private-label MBS other than subprime

 

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private-label MBS. The guidance requires the FHLBank of San Francisco to determine the FHLBank System-wide modeling assumptions based upon the guidance in FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 and after consulting the other FHLBanks and the Finance Agency.

 

With respect to subprime private-label MBS, the guidance provides for the first quarter of 2009 that the other-than-temporary-impairment analysis be run on a common platform. Consistent with that provision, FHLBanks with these types of private-label MBS, including the Bank, have selected the FHLBank of Chicago’s platform, and the FHLBank of Chicago has provided such FHLBanks with the related modeling assumptions and cash flow analyses for purposes of analyzing credit losses and determining other-than-temporary-impairment on such private-label MBS. In the event that the FHLBank of Chicago does not have the ability to model a particular subprime MBS owned by the Bank, the latter will project the expected cash flows for that security based on the Bank’s expectations as to how the underlying collateral and impact on deal structure resultant from collateral cash flows are forecasted to occur over time.

 

The Finance Agency Other Than Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance is inapplicable to the Bank’s portfolio of private-label commercial MBS, and so the Bank continues to select its modeling assumptions and run its cash flow analysis for such securities as it has done prior to the receipt of the guidance.

 

With respect to assessing the potential mitigation of projected credit losses through the application of existing credit insurance from third parties in the event of loss of contractual principal or interest, each FHLBank is directed under the FHLBank System-wide modeling assumptions provided under the Finance Agency Other than Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance to provide qualitative assessment as to the ability of the respective issuer to cover such projected shortfall of principal or interest for the bond.

 

In addition to using the modeling assumptions provided by the FHLBank of San Francisco, the guidance requires for the first quarter of 2009 that each FHLBank conduct its other-than-temporary-impairment analysis utilizing the same specified third-party risk model and a specified third-party loan-performance data source. The guidance provides that an FHLBank may use the assumptions provided by the FHLBank of San Francisco in an alternative risk model with alternative loan performance data if certain conditions are met. An FHLBank that does not have access to the required risk model and loan performance data sources or does not meet the conditions for using an alternative risk model is required under the guidance to engage another FHLBank to perform the cash flow analyses underlying its other-than-temporary-impairment determinations. The guidance requires FHLBanks performing their own cash flow analysis to perform certain control checks to ensure they can accurately replicate the FHLBank of San Francisco’s cash flow results for a sample of private-label MBS.

 

Each FHLBank is responsible for making its own determination of impairment, the reasonableness of assumptions, and performing the required present-value calculations using appropriate historical cost bases and yields. FHLBanks that hold common private-label MBS are required to consult with one another to make sure that any decision that a commonly held private-label MBS is other-than-temporarily impaired, including the determination of fair value and the credit loss component of the unrealized loss, is consistent among those FHLBanks.

 

For the period ending March 31, 2009, the Bank has completed its other-than-temporary-impairment analysis and made its impairment determinations utilizing the risk model and loan performance data source specified in the Finance Agency Other Than Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance as well as the assumptions provided by the FHLBank of San Francisco, other than for subprime private-label MBS, and cash-flow analysis for subprime private-label MBS provided by the FHLBank of Chicago. As the Bank does not have the same platform as FHLBank of Chicago to perform a cash flow analysis for its subprime private-label MBS, the Bank engaged FHLBank of Chicago to perform an analysis of such private-label MBS.

 

Interim Capital Rule

 

In accordance with HERA, effective January 30, 2009, the Finance Agency promulgated an interim final rule on capital classifications and critical capital levels for the FHLBanks (the Interim Capital Rule). The Interim Capital Rule is more fully described in Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capital Requirements in the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Interim Capital Rule has a comment deadline of May 15, 2009, following which the Finance Agency is expected to promulgate a final rule on capital classifications and critical capital levels for the FHLBanks (the Final Capital Rule). The Interim Capital Rule, among other things, established criteria for four capital classifications and corrective action requirements for FHLBanks that are classified in any classification other than adequately capitalized. The Finance Agency has discretion to reclassify an FHLBank and to modify or add to corrective action requirements for a particular capital classification so the Bank cannot predict the impact of the Interim Capital Rule on the Bank. Further, the Final Capital Rule is subject to comment and so the Bank cannot predict what impact the Final Capital Rule will have on the Bank.

 

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Regulation Regarding Golden Parachute Payments

 

In accordance with HERA, the Finance Agency promulgated an interim final regulation effective September 16, 2008, and amended on each of September 19, 2008, and September 23, 2008, which provides regulatory guidance on the Director’s authority under HERA to prohibit or limit golden parachute payments by an FHLBank that is insolvent, in conservatorship or receivership, or is in a troubled condition as determined by the Director. The final regulation includes a list of factors the Director must consider in determining whether to prohibit or limit any golden parachute payment. Such factors primarily relate to the relative culpability of the proposed recipient of the payment in such FHLBank’s becoming insolvent, entering into conservatorship or receivership, or being in a troubled condition. Effective January 29, 2009, the Finance Agency promulgated a final regulation regarding golden parachute payments that adopted the interim final regulation’s requirements as originally promulgated in all material respects. The Bank cannot predict what impact this regulation will have on the Bank.

 

U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Stability Plan

 

On February 10, 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced a Financial Stability Plan to address the global capital markets crisis and U.S. economic recession that continues into 2009. The plan consists of comprehensive stress tests of certain financial institutions, the provision of capital injections to certain financial institutions, controls on the use of capital injections, a purchase program for certain illiquid assets, limits on executive compensation, antiforeclosure and housing support requirements, and small-business and community-lending initiatives. Although some details have been provided, such details are insufficient to enable the Bank to predict what impact the plan is likely to have on the Bank.

 

On March 23, 2009, in accordance with the Financial Stability Plan’s initiative to purchase illiquid assets, the U.S. Treasury announced the Public-Private Investment Program, which is a program designed to attract private investors to purchase certain real estate loans and illiquid MBS (originally rated triple-A) owned by financial institutions using up to $100 billion in TARP capital funds. These funds could be levered with debt funding also provided by the U.S. Treasury to expand the capacity of the program. If this program is used to purchase classes of assets the same as, or similar to, assets in the Bank’s investment portfolio, the fair value of such assets may rise, which would likely benefit the Bank.

 

Federal Reserve Board GSE Debt Purchase Initiative

 

On November 25, 2008, the Federal Reserve Board announced an initiative for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to purchase up to $100 billion of the debt of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the FHLBanks. On March 18, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board committed to purchase up to an additional $100 billion of such debt. Through May 8, 2009, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has purchased approximately $72.0 billion in such term debt, of which approximately $17.9 billion was FHLBank term debt. See Liquidity and Capital Resources in this item for a discussion of this initiative’s impact on the Bank.

 

Federal Reserve Board Program to Purchase MBS Issued by Housing GSEs

 

On November 25, 2008, the Federal Reserve Board announced a program to purchase up to $500 billion in MBS backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Government National Mortgage Association to reduce the cost and increase the availability of credit for the purchase of houses. On March 18, 2009, the Federal Reserve Board committed to purchase up to an additional $750 billion of such MBS. This program, initiated to drive mortgage rates lower, make housing more affordable, and help stabilize home prices, may lead to continued artificially low agency-mortgage pricing. Comparative MPF price execution, which is a function of the FHLBank debt issuance costs, may not be competitive as a result. This trend could continue and member demand for MPF products could diminish.

 

FDIC Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program

 

On October 14, 2008, the FDIC announced an immediately effective program known as the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, which guarantees newly issued senior unsecured debt and the unsecured portion of any secured debt issued by participating nonforeign-insured institutions, participating U.S. bank holding companies, and U.S. savings and loan holding companies that have at least one operating, nonforeign-insured depository institution within its holding company structure, as well as certain affiliates of nonforeign-insured institutions as permitted by the FDIC where such debt is issued on or before June 30, 2009, for a fee of 75 basis points on new debt issues by each participating institution. The amount of debt covered by the guarantee is 125 percent of debt that was outstanding as of September 30, 2008, that was scheduled to mature before June 30, 2009. For eligible debt issued on or before June 30, 2009, coverage would only be provided for three years beyond that date, even if the liability has not matured. Debt guaranteed by the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. On February 10, 2009, the FDIC announced an extension to the guarantee of eligible debt under this program from June 30, 2009, to October 31, 2009, in exchange for an additional premium for the guarantee. The Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program is believed to have caused yield spreads for CO debt with maturities of greater than six months to widen. See Liquidity and Capital Resources — Liquidity, in this Item for additional discussion of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program’s possible impact on the Bank.

 

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FDIC Rulemaking on Deposit Insurance Assessments

 

On February 27, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule on increases in deposit insurance premium assessments to restore the Deposit Insurance Fund. The final rule is effective April 1, 2009. The assessments adopted by the FDIC are higher for institutions that use secured liabilities in excess of 25 percent of deposits. Secured liabilities are defined to include FHLBank advances. The rule may tend to decrease demand for advances from Bank members affected by the rule due to the increase in the effective all-in cost from the increased premium assessments.

 

Proposed Federal Legislation Permitting Bankruptcy Cramdowns on First Mortgages of Owner-Occupied Homes

 

Federal legislation has been proposed that would allow bankruptcy cramdowns on first mortgages of owner-occupied homes as a response to the U.S. economic recession and attendant U.S. housing recession. The proposed legislation would allow a bankruptcy judge to reduce the principal amount of such mortgages to the current market value of the property, which is prohibited by the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994. Some of the private-label MBS in which the Bank has invested contain a cap on bankruptcy losses, and when such cap is exceeded, bankruptcy losses are allocated among all classes of such MBS on a pro-rata basis among the classes of such MBS rather than by seniority. The Bank only invests in senior classes of private-label MBS. In the event that this legislation is enacted so as to apply to all existing mortgage debt (including first mortgages of owner-occupied homes), then the Bank could face increased risk of credit losses on its private-label MBS that include such bankruptcy caps due to the erosion of the credit protection it would have otherwise had via its senior class of such MBS. Any such credit losses may also lead to other-than-temporary impairment charges for affected private-label MBS in the Bank’s held-to-maturity portfolio. Additionally, bankruptcy cramdowns could adversely impact the value of the collateral held in support of the Bank’s loans to members, resulting in further reduction of member borrowing capacity, and could adversely impact the value of MPF mortgage loans held by the Bank. Although legislation introduced on such bankruptcy cramdowns has been defeated in the U.S. Senate, similar legislation could be re-introduced.

 

RECENT REGULATORY ACTIONS AND CREDIT RATING AGENCY ACTIONS

 

All FHLBanks have joint and several liability for FHLBank COs. The joint and several liability regulation of the Finance Agency authorizes the Finance Agency to require any FHLBank to repay all or a portion of the principal or interest on COs for which another FHLBank is the primary obligor. The Bank has never been asked or required to repay the principal or interest on any CO on behalf of another FHLBank. The par amount of the outstanding COs of all 12 FHLBanks was $1.1 trillion at March 31, 2009, and $1.3 trillion at December 31, 2008.

 

Some of the FHLBanks have been the subject of regulatory actions pursuant to which their boards of directors and/or management have agreed with the Office of Supervision of the Finance Agency to, among other things, maintain higher levels of capital. While supervisory agreements generally are publicly announced by the Finance Agency, the Bank cannot provide assurance that it has been informed or will be informed of regulatory actions taken at other FHLBanks. In addition, the Bank or any other FHLBank may be the subject of regulatory actions in the future.

 

On May 15, 2009, Moody’s downgraded the FHLBank of Chicago’s subordinated debt to A2 with a stable outlook from Aa2.

 

The Bank has evaluated the financial condition of the other FHLBanks based on known regulatory actions, publicly available financial information, and individual long-term credit-rating downgrades as of each period-end presented. Management believes that the probability that the Bank will be required by the Finance Agency to repay any principal or interest associated with COs for which the Bank is not the primary obligor has not materially increased.

 

On April 28, 2009, the Bank was ordered by the Director of the Finance Agency to limit the payment of salary-based severance to Michael A. Jessee, president and chief executive officer of the Bank, to twelve months of such payments rather than the awarded eighteen months following the date of his retirement. In accordance with that order, the Bank and Mr. Jessee entered into an amendment to the agreement that awarded such payments, which amendment is attached to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.1, to limit such payments to twelve months following the date of his retirement. Mr. Jessee retired from the Bank effective April 30, 2009.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Bank has a comprehensive risk-governance structure. The Bank’s Risk-Management Policy identifies seven major risk categories relevant to business activities:

 

·                  Credit risk is the risk to earnings or capital of an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of any contract with the Bank or otherwise perform as agreed. The Credit Committee oversees credit risk primarily through ongoing oversight and limits on credit exposure.

 

·                  Market risk is the risk to earnings or market value of equity (MVE) due to adverse movements in interest rates, market prices, or

 

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interest-rate spreads. Market risk is primarily overseen by the Asset-Liability Committee through ongoing review of value at risk (VaR) and the economic value of capital. The Asset-Liability Committee also reviews income simulations to oversee potential exposure to future earnings volatility.

 

·                  Liquidity risk is the risk that the Bank may be unable to meet its funding requirements, or meet the credit needs of members, at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner. The Asset-Liability Committee, through its regular reviews of funding and liquidity, oversees liquidity risk.

 

·                  Leverage risk is the risk that the capital of the Bank is not sufficient to support the level of assets. The risk results from a deterioration of the Bank’s capital base, a deterioration of the assets, or from overbooking assets. The Bank’s treasurer, under the direction of the chief financial officer, provides primary oversight of leverage activity.

 

·                  Business risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from adverse business decisions or improper implementation of those decisions, or from external factors as may occur in both the short- and long-run. Business risk is overseen by the Management Committee through the development of the strategic business plan.

 

·                  Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes and systems, human error, or from internal or external events, inclusive of exposure to potential litigation resulting from inappropriate conduct of Bank personnel. The Operational Risk Committee primarily oversees operational risk.

 

·                  Reputation risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from negative public opinion, which can affect the Bank’s ability to establish new business relationships or to maintain existing business relationships. The Management Committee oversees reputation risk.

 

The board of directors defines the desired risk profile of the Bank and provides risk oversight through the review and approval of the Bank’s risk-management policy. The Risk and Finance Committees of the board of directors provide additional oversight for market risk and credit risk. The board of director’s Audit Committee provides additional oversight for operational risk. The board of directors also reviews the result of an annual risk assessment conducted by management for its major business processes.

 

Management further delineates the Bank’s risk appetite for specific business activities and provides risk oversight through the following committees:

 

·                  Management Committee is the Bank’s overall risk-governance, strategic-planning, and policymaking group. The committee, which is comprised of the Bank’s senior officers, reviews and recommends to the board of directors for approval all revisions to major policies of the organization. All decisions by this committee are subject to final approval by the president of the Bank.

 

·                  Asset-Liability Committee is responsible for approving policies and risk limits for the management of market risk, including liquidity and options risks. The Asset-Liability Committee also conducts monitoring and oversight of these risks on an ongoing basis, and promulgates strategies to enhance the Bank’s financial performance within established risk limits consistent with the strategic business plan.

 

·                  Credit Committee oversees the Bank’s credit-underwriting functions and collateral eligibility standards. The committee also reviews the creditworthiness of the Bank’s investments, including purchased mortgage assets, and oversees the classification of the Bank’s assets and the adequacy of its loan-loss reserves.

 

·                  Operational Risk Committee reviews and assesses the Bank’s exposure to operational risks and determines tolerances for potential operational threats that may arise from new products and services. The committee may also discuss operational exceptions and assess appropriate control actions to mitigate reoccurrence and improve future detection.

 

·                     Information Technology and Security Oversight Committee provides senior management oversight and governance of the information technology, information security, and business-continuity functions of the Bank. The committee approves the major priorities and overall level of funding for these functions, within the context of the Bank’s strategic business priorities and established risk-management objectives.

 

This list of internal management committees or their respective missions may change from time to time based on new business or regulatory requirements.

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit Risk — Advances. The Bank endeavors to minimize credit risk on advances by monitoring the financial condition of its borrowing entities and by holding sufficient collateral to protect itself from losses. The Bank is prohibited by Section 10(a) of the FHLBank Act from making advances without sufficient collateral to secure the advance. The Bank has never experienced a credit loss on an advance.

 

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The Bank closely monitors the financial condition of all members and nonmember borrowers by reviewing available financial data, such as regulatory call reports filed by depository institution members, regulatory financial statements filed with the appropriate state insurance department by insurance company members, audited financial statements of housing associates, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, and rating-agency reports to ensure that potentially troubled members are identified as soon as possible. In addition, the Bank has access to most members’ regulatory examination reports. The Bank analyzes this information on a regular basis.

 

Throughout 2008, the overall performance and financial condition of the Bank’s membership weakened as the broader economy deteriorated, leading to increases in delinquent and nonperforming loans, significant loan loss provisions, losses in investment securities portfolios, and the impact of increased deposit insurance premiums. Total net income among the Bank’s membership declined from $4.5 billion in 2007 to a net loss of $1.3 billion in 2008. Average nonperforming assets for depository institution members increased from 0.50 percent of total assets in 2007 to 0.91 percent of total assets in 2008. The average ratio of tangible capital to assets among the membership declined from 8.23 percent in 2007 to 8.09 percent in 2008. Through the 16-month period ending April 30, 2009, there were no failures among the Bank’s membership.

 

Based upon the financial condition of the member, the Bank classifies each member into one of three collateral categories: blanket-lien status, listing-collateral status, or delivery-collateral status.

 

The Bank assigns members that it has determined are in good financial condition to blanket-lien status. Members that demonstrate characteristics that evidence potential weakness in their financial condition are assigned to listing-collateral status. The Bank may also assign members with a high level of borrowings as a percentage of their assets to listing-collateral status regardless of their financial condition. The Bank has established an advances borrowing limit of 50 percent of the member’s assets. This limit may be waived by the president of the Bank after considering factors such as the member’s credit rating, collateral quality, and earnings stability. Members whose total advances exceed 50 percent of assets are placed in listing-collateral status or, if necessary, delivery-collateral status with the Bank. The Bank assigns members that it has determined are financially weak to delivery-collateral status. The Bank also assigns all insurance company members that have a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) long-term debt rating lower than BBB- or its equivalent, insurance company members that do not have an NRSRO long-term debt rating, all nonmember borrowers, and housing associates to delivery-collateral status.

 

The assignment of a member to a collateral-status category reflects the Bank’s increasing level of control over the collateral pledged by the member as a member’s financial condition deteriorates. When the Bank classifies a member as being in blanket-lien status, the member retains possession of eligible one- to four-family mortgage-loan collateral pledged to the Bank, provided the member executes a written security agreement and agrees to hold such collateral for the benefit of the Bank. Members in blanket-lien status must specifically list with the Bank all mortgage-loan collateral other than loans secured by first-mortgage loans on owner-occupied one- to four-family residential property. Under listing-collateral status, the member retains possession of eligible mortgage-loan collateral, however, the Bank requires the member to specifically list all mortgage-loan collateral with the Bank. Securities pledged to the Bank by members in either blanket-lien or listing-collateral status must be delivered to the Bank, the Bank’s approved safekeeping agent, or held by a member’s securities corporation. For members in delivery-collateral status, the Bank requires the member to place physical possession of all pledged eligible collateral with the Bank or the Bank’s approved safekeeping agent.

 

The Bank’s agreements with its borrowers require each borrowing entity to pledge sufficient eligible collateral to the Bank to fully secure all outstanding extensions of credit, including cash advances, accrued interest receivable, standby letters of credit, MPF credit- enhancement obligations, and lines of credit (collectively, extensions of credit) at all times. The assets that constitute eligible collateral to secure extensions of credit are set forth in Section 10(a) of the FHLBank Act. In accordance with the FHLBank Act, the Bank accepts the following assets as collateral:

 

·                  Fully disbursed, whole first mortgages on improved residential property (not more than 45 days delinquent), or securities representing a whole interest in such mortgages;

 

·                  Securities issued, insured, or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any agency thereof (including without limitation, MBS issued or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Government National Mortgage Association);

 

·                  Cash or deposits with an FHLBank; and

 

·                  Other real-estate-related collateral acceptable to the Bank if such collateral has a readily ascertainable value and the Bank can perfect its interest in the collateral.

 

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In addition, in the case of any community financial institution, as defined in accordance with the FHLBank Act, the Bank may accept as collateral secured loans for small business and agriculture, or securities representing a whole interest in such secured loans.

 

In order to mitigate the credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, and operational risk associated with collateral, the Bank applies a discount to the book value or market value of pledged collateral to establish the lending value of the collateral to the Bank. Collateral that the Bank has determined to contain a low level of risk, such as U.S. government obligations, is discounted at a lower rate than collateral that carries a higher level of risk, such as commercial real estate mortgage loans. The Bank has analyzed the discounts applied to all eligible collateral types and concluded that the current discounts are sufficient to fully secure the Bank against losses in the event of a borrower default. The Bank’s agreements with its members and borrowers grant the Bank authority, in its sole discretion, to adjust the discounts applied to collateral at any time based on the Bank’s assessment of the member’s financial condition, the quality of collateral pledged, or the overall volatility of the value of the collateral.

 

The Bank generally requires all borrowing members and housing associates to execute a security agreement that grants the Bank a blanket lien on all assets of such borrower that consist of, among other types of collateral: fully disbursed whole first mortgages and deeds of trust constituting first liens against real property, U.S. federal, state, and municipal obligations, GSE securities, corporate debt obligations, commercial paper, funds placed in deposit accounts at the Bank, FHLBank COs, such other items or property of the borrower that are offered to the Bank by the borrower as collateral, and all proceeds of all of the foregoing. In the case of insurance companies in some instances, the Bank establishes a specific lien instead of a blanket lien subject to the Bank’s receipt of additional safeguards from such members. The Bank protects its security interest in these assets by filing a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statement in the appropriate jurisdiction. The Bank also requires that borrowers in blanket-lien and listing-collateral status submit to the Bank, on at least an annual basis, an audit opinion that confirms that the borrower is maintaining sufficient amounts of qualified collateral in accordance with the Bank’s policies. However, blanket-lien and listing-collateral status members that have voluntarily delivered all of their collateral to the Bank may not be required, at the Bank’s discretion, to submit such an audit opinion. Bank employees conduct onsite reviews of collateral pledged by borrowers to confirm the existence of the pledged collateral and to determine that the pledged collateral conforms to the Bank’s eligibility requirements. The Bank may conduct an onsite collateral review at any time.

 

The Bank’s agreements with borrowers allow the Bank, in its sole discretion, to refuse to make extensions of credit against any collateral, require substitution of collateral, or adjust the discounts applied to collateral at any time. The Bank also may require members to pledge additional collateral regardless of whether the collateral would be eligible to originate a new extension of credit. The Bank’s agreements with its borrowers also afford the Bank the right, in its sole discretion, to declare any borrower to be in default if the Bank deems itself to be insecure.

 

Beyond these provisions, Section 10(e) of the FHLBank Act affords any security interest granted by a federally insured depository institution member or such a member’s affiliate to the Bank priority over the claims or rights of any other party, including any receiver, conservator, trustee, or similar entity that has the rights of a lien creditor, unless these claims and rights would be entitled to priority under otherwise applicable law and are held by actual purchasers or by parties that are secured by actual perfected security interests. In this regard, the priority granted to the security interests of the Bank under Section 10(e) may not apply when lending to insurance company members. This is due to the anti-preemption provision contained in the McCarran-Ferguson Act in which Congress declared that federal law would not preempt state insurance law unless the federal law expressly regulates the business of insurance. Thus, if state law conflicts with Section 10(e) of the FHLBank Act, the protection afforded by this provision may not be available to the Bank. However, the Bank protects its security interests in the collateral pledged by its borrowers, including insurance company members, by filing UCC-1 financing statements, or by taking possession or control of such collateral, or by taking other appropriate steps.

 

Advances outstanding to borrowers in blanket-lien status at March 31, 2009, totaled $36.8 billion. For these advances, the Bank had access to collateral through security agreements, where the borrower agrees to hold such collateral for the benefit of the Bank, totaling $72.3 billion as of March 31, 2009. Of this total, $9.3 billion of securities have been delivered to the Bank or to a third-party custodian, an additional $3.7 billion of securities are held by borrowers’ securities corporations, and $28.6 billion of residential mortgage loans have been pledged by borrowers’ real-estate-investment trusts.

 

The following table provides information regarding advances outstanding with members and nonmember borrowers in listing- and delivery-collateral status at March 31, 2009, along with their corresponding collateral balances.

 

Advances Outstanding by Borrower Collateral Status

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Number of
Borrowers

 

Advances
Outstanding

 

Discounted
Collateral (1)

 

Ratio of Collateral to Advances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listing-collateral status

 

24

 

$

11,129,651

 

$

17,926,018

 

161.1

%

Delivery-collateral status

 

21

 

481,501

 

1,848,716

 

384.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value

 

45

 

$

11,611,152

 

$

19,774,734

 

170.3

%

 

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(1)          In accordance with the Bank’s collateral policies, qualified collateral includes only collateral that has not been in default within the most recent 12-month period, except that whole first-mortgage collateral on one- to four-family residential property is acceptable provided no payment is overdue by more than 45 days, unless the collateral is insured or guaranteed by the U.S. or any agency thereof.

 

The Bank allows borrowers in blanket-lien status to pledge owner-occupied one- to four-family mortgage loans to the Bank under a blanket pledge without specific loan-level information. The Bank requires borrowers in blanket-lien status to provide a listing of all other loan collateral pledged to the Bank. Borrowers in listing-collateral status must provide a listing of all loan collateral that they pledge to the Bank. All securities pledged as collateral by all borrowers must be delivered to the Bank or to a Bank-approved third-party custodian. Borrowers in delivery-collateral status must deliver all loan and securities collateral to the Bank or a Bank-approved third-party custodian.

 

The Bank assigns borrowers to blanket-lien status, listing-collateral status, and delivery-collateral status based on the Bank’s assessment of the financial condition of the borrower. The method by which a borrower pledges collateral is dependent upon the collateral status to which it is assigned based on its financial condition and on the type of collateral that the borrower pledges. For example, securities collateral pledged by a borrower that is in blanket-lien status based on its financial condition appears in the table below as being in collateral delivered to the Bank, since all securities collateral must be delivered to the Bank or to a Bank-approved third-party custodian. Based upon the method by which borrowers pledge collateral to the Bank, the following table shows the total potential lending value of the collateral that borrowers have pledged to the Bank, net of the Bank’s collateral valuation discounts.

 

Collateral by Pledge Type

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Amount of Collateral

 

 

 

 

 

Collateral pledged under blanket lien

 

$

57,254,583

 

Collateral specifically listed and identified

 

9,376,462

 

Collateral delivered to the Bank

 

28,664,988

 

 

Based upon the collateral held as security on advances, the Bank’s prior repayment history, and the protections provided by Section 10(e) of the FHLBank Act, the Bank does not believe that an allowance for losses on advances is necessary at this time.

 

Credit Risk — Investments. The Bank is also subject to credit risk on unsecured investments consisting primarily of money-market instruments issued by high-quality counterparties and debentures issued by U.S. agencies and instrumentalities. The Bank places money-market funds with large, high-quality financial institutions with long-term credit ratings no lower than single-A (or its equivalent rating) on an unsecured basis for terms of up to 275 days; most such placements expire within 35 days. Management actively monitors the credit quality of these counterparties. At March 31, 2009, the Bank’s unsecured credit exposure, including accrued interest related to money-market instruments and debentures, was $2.3 billion to seven counterparties and issuers, of which $566.8 million was for certificates of deposit, $900.0 million was for overnight federal funds sold, and $820.8 million was for debentures. As of March 31, 2009, there were four counterparties or issuers that individually accounted for more than 10 percent of the Bank’s total unsecured credit exposure of $2.3 billion. These counterparties accounted for a total of 83.9 percent of total unsecured credit exposure.

 

The Bank also invests in and is subject to secured credit risk related to MBS, ABS, and state and local housing-finance-agency obligations (HFA) that are directly or indirectly supported by underlying mortgage loans. Investments in MBS and ABS may be purchased as long as the balance of outstanding MBS/ABS is equal to or less than 300 percent of the Bank’s total capital, and must be rated the highest long-term debt rating at the time of purchase. HFA bonds must carry a credit rating of double-A (or its equivalent rating) or higher as of the date of purchase.

 

Credit ratings on these investments as of March 31, 2009, are provided in the following table.

 

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Credit Ratings of Investments at Carrying Value

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Long-Term Credit Rating (1)

 

Investment Category

 

Triple-A

 

Double-A

 

Single-A

 

Triple-B

 

Below
Triple-B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money-market instruments (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

 

$

11,552,123

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

565,000

 

 

 

 

Federal funds sold

 

 

700,000

 

200,000

 

 

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. agency obligations

 

38,084

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. government corporations

 

236,426

 

 

 

 

 

Government-sponsored enterprises

 

128,106

 

 

 

 

 

Supranational banks

 

410,061

 

 

 

 

 

State or local housing-finance-agency obligations

 

30,291

 

186,235

 

 

56,568

 

 

GSE MBS

 

4,557,417

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label MBS

 

768,749

 

220,872

 

157,059

 

309,549

 

1,403,009

 

ABS backed by home-equity loans

 

21,094

 

3,052

 

9,506

 

3,093

 

465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

$

17,742,351

 

$

1,675,159

 

$

1,366,565

 

$

369,210

 

$

1,403,474

 

 


(1)          Ratings are obtained from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P. If there is a split rating, the lowest rating is used.

(2)          The issuer rating is used, and if a rating is on negative credit watch, the rating in the next lower rating category is used and then the lowest rating is determined.

 

The following table details the Bank’s below investment grade securities as of March 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands).

 

 

 

Long-Term Credit Rating (1)

 

Investment Category

 

Double-B

 

Single-B

 

Triple-C

 

Double-C

 

Total Below
Investment Grade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label MBS

 

$

260,097

 

$

560,949

 

$

545,586

 

$

36,377

 

$

1,403,009

 

ABS backed by home-equity loans

 

465

 

 

 

 

465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

260,562

 

$

560,949

 

$

545,586

 

$

36,377

 

$

1,403,474

 

 


(1)          Ratings are obtained from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P. If there is a split rating, the lowest rating is used.

 

Of the Bank’s $8.7 billion in par value of MBS and ABS investments at March 31, 2009, $4.1 billion in par value are private-label MBS. Of this amount, $3.4 billion in par value are securities backed primarily by Alt-A loans, while $550.1 million in par value are backed primarily by prime loans. Only $34.4 million in par value of these investments are backed primarily by subprime mortgages. While there is no universally accepted definition for prime and Alt-A underwriting standards, in general, prime underwriting implies a borrower without a history of delinquent payments as well as documented income and a loan amount that is at or less than 80 percent of the market value of the house, while Alt-A underwriting implies a prime borrower with limited income documentation and/or a loan-to-value ratio of higher than 80 percent. While the Bank generally follows the collateral type definitions provided by Standard & Poor’s, it does review the credit performance of the underlying collateral, and revise the classification where appropriate, an approach that is likewise incorporated into the FHLBank System-wide modeling assumptions promulgated under the Finance Agency Other than Temporary Impairment Consulting Guidance. The third party collateral loan performance used by the Bank and by the FHLBank of San Francisco assesses eight bonds owned by the Bank whose collateral is held as Prime by Standard & Poor’s to be Alt-A in nature, and have been modeled accordingly at the more punitive credit assumptions applied to Alt-A collateral. None of these bonds, with a total par value of $110.0 million as of March 31, 2009, were deemed to be other than temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2009. These bonds are reported as Prime in the various tables. In addition, one Prime collateral bond, holding $2.6 million in par value as of March 31, 2009, was viewed as Alt-A under certain credit performance thresholds outlined in the FHLBank System-wide modeling assumptions promulgated under the Finance Agency Other than Temporary Impairment Consulting Guidance. This security was not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2009.  It likewise is classified as Prime in the various tables.  The Bank does not hold any collateralized debt obligations.

 

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The following table stratifies the Bank’s private-label MBS by credit rating.

 

Credit Ratings of Private-Label MBS at Amortized Cost

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

Investment Grade

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Net
Unrealized
Losses

 

Weighted Average
Collateral
Delinquency % (1)

 

Home equity loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime A

 

$

3,929

 

$

(1,705

)

0.29

%

Subprime AAA

 

21,094

 

(9,071

)

24.90

 

Subprime AA

 

3,052

 

(1,338

)

34.02

 

Subprime A

 

5,577

 

(1,414

)

22.62

 

Subprime BBB

 

4,156

 

(2,194

)

26.98

 

Subprime BB

 

465

 

(284

)

12.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total home equity loans

 

38,273

 

(16,006

)

22.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime AAA

 

382,452

 

(76,575

)

5.10

 

Prime AA

 

27,989

 

(10,561

)

2.54

 

Prime A

 

28,711

 

(12,906

)

9.94

 

Prime BBB

 

32,529

 

(8,631

)

13.32

 

Prime BB

 

62,709

 

(28,623

)

17.45

 

Prime B

 

10,210

 

(5,576

)

22.07

 

Alt-A AAA

 

253,769

 

(87,262

)

20.33

 

Alt-A AA

 

220,148

 

(110,582

)

22.27

 

Alt-A A

 

128,348

 

(50,039

)

33.17

 

Alt-A BBB

 

363,572

 

(188,303

)

34.64

 

Alt-A BB

 

191,339

 

(91,751

)

33.59

 

Alt-A B

 

833,438

 

(475,006

)

37.29

 

Alt-A CCC

 

1,194,464

 

(649,948

)

41.88

 

Alt-A CC

 

63,742

 

(27,365

)

42.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label residential MBS

 

3,793,420

 

(1,823,128

)

32.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label commercial MBS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime AAA

 

142,682

 

(22,635

)

2.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label MBS

 

$

3,974,375

 

$

(1,861,769

)

31.16

%

 


(1)          Represents loans that are 60 days or more delinquent.

 

The following two tables provide a summary of credit ratings downgrades that have occurred during the period from January 1, 2009, through March 20, 2009, for the Bank’s private-label MBS.

 

Private-Label MBS Ratings Downgrades

During the Period from April 1, 2009, through May 8, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

To AA

 

To A

 

To BBB

 

To Below Investment
Grade

 

Total

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from AAA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

$

8,421

 

$

5,064

 

$

55,317

 

$

45,523

 

$

9,569

 

$

4,520

 

$

99,731

 

$

87,200

 

$

173,038

 

$

142,307

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from AA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,989

 

17,428

 

27,989

 

17,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,711

 

15,805

 

28,711

 

15,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from BBB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

127,420

 

65,673

 

127,420

 

65,673

 

Home equity loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,873

 

1,413

 

2,873

 

1,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

8,421

 

$

5,064

 

$

55,317

 

$

45,523

 

$

9,569

 

$

4,520

 

$

286,724

 

$

187,519

 

$

360,031

 

$

242,626

 

 

70



Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes the Bank’s below investment grade downgrades.

 

Private-Label MBS Ratings Downgrades

For Below Investment Grade Investments

During the Period from April 1, 2009, through May 8, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

To BB

 

To B

 

Total

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

Carrying
Value

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from AAA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

$

99,705

 

$

87,176

 

$

26

 

$

24

 

$

99,731

 

$

87,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from AA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

27,989

 

17,428

 

 

 

27,989

 

17,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

28,711

 

15,805

 

28,711

 

15,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downgraded from BBB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

93,003

 

42,178

 

34,417

 

23,495

 

127,420

 

65,673

 

Home equity loans

 

2,873

 

1,413

 

 

 

2,873

 

1,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

223,570

 

$

148,195

 

$

63,154

 

$

39,324

 

$

286,724

 

$

187,519

 

 

Investment Securities

Downgraded and/or Placed on Negative Watch

from April 1, 2009 through May 8, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Based on Amortized Cost as of March 31, 2009

 

 

 

Downgraded and
Stable

 

Downgraded and
Placed on Negative
Watch

 

Not Downgraded but
Placed on Negative
Watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label residential MBS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of private-label residential MBS rated below investment grade

 

$

296,638

 

$

 

$

 

Percentage of total private-label residential MBS

 

7.82

%

%

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loan investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of home equity loan investments rated below investment grade

 

$

2,873

 

$

 

$

 

Percentage of total home equity loan investments

 

7.51

%

%

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label residential MBS and home equity loan investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of total private-label residential MBS and home equity loan investments rated below investment grade

 

$

299,511

 

$

 

$

 

Percentage of total private-label MBS

 

7.54

%

%

%

 

71



Table of Contents

 

The following table stratifies the Bank’s private-label MBS by collateral type at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

 

Characteristics of Private-Label MBS by Type of Collateral

Par Values as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Private-label MBS

 

Fixed Rate

 

Variable
Rate

 

Total

 

Fixed Rate

 

Variable
Rate

 

Total

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

$

33,212

 

$

512,962

 

$

546,174

 

$

38,662

 

$

563,229

 

$

601,891

 

Alt-A

 

112,773

 

3,300,902

 

3,413,675

 

121,315

 

3,471,077

 

3,592,392

 

Total private-label residential MBS

 

145,985

 

3,813,864

 

3,959,849

 

159,977

 

4,034,306

 

4,194,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label commercial MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

142,763

 

 

142,763

 

144,311

 

 

144,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

3,929

 

3,929

 

 

4,341

 

4,341

 

Subprime

 

16,082

 

18,272

 

34,354

 

16,495

 

18,717

 

35,212

 

Total home equity loans

 

16,082

 

22,201

 

38,283

 

16,495

 

23,058

 

39,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total par value of private-label MBS

 

$

304,830

 

$

3,836,065

 

$

4,140,895

 

$

320,783

 

$

4,057,364

 

$

4,378,147

 

 

The following table provides additional information related to the Bank’s MBS issued by private trusts and ABS backed by home-equity loans, indicating whether the underlying mortgage collateral is considered to be prime, Alt-A, or subprime at the time of issuance. Additionally, the amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2009, are stratified by year of issuance of the security, including private-label commercial MBS.

 

Par Value of Private-Label Mortgage-Backed Securities and

Home Equity Loan Investments by Year of Securitization

At March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Triple-A

 

Double-A

 

Single-A

 

Triple-B

 

Below
Investment
Grade

 

Total

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

$

100,666

 

$

27,989

 

$

 

$

21,823

 

$

 

$

150,478

 

2006

 

48,407

 

 

28,810

 

 

 

77,217

 

2005

 

22,405

 

 

 

 

62,603

 

85,008

 

2004

 

82,315

 

 

 

10,707

 

10,934

 

103,956

 

2003 and prior

 

129,515

 

 

 

 

 

129,515

 

Total residential MBS prime

 

383,308

 

27,989

 

28,810

 

32,530

 

73,537

 

546,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

37,905

 

 

8,950

 

140,219

 

777,632

 

964,706

 

2006

 

21,171

 

13,429

 

25,544

 

54,962

 

1,358,607

 

1,473,713

 

2005

 

154,022

 

176,661

 

89,522

 

186,586

 

273,554

 

880,345

 

2004

 

40,256

 

30,755

 

4,343

 

 

 

75,354

 

2003 and prior

 

19,557

 

 

 

 

 

19,557

 

Total residential MBS Alt-A

 

272,911

 

220,845

 

128,359

 

381,767

 

2,409,793

 

3,413,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label residential MBS

 

656,219

 

248,834

 

157,169

 

414,297

 

2,483,330

 

3,959,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

 

 

3,929

 

 

 

3,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subprime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

5,578

 

 

 

5,578

 

2003 and prior

 

21,094

 

3,051

 

 

4,167

 

464

 

28,776

 

Total subprime

 

21,094

 

3,051

 

5,578

 

4,167

 

464

 

34,354

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total home equity

 

21,094

 

3,051

 

9,507

 

4,167

 

464

 

38,283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label commercial MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

142,763

 

 

 

 

 

142,763

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total prime

 

526,071

 

27,989

 

32,739

 

32,530

 

73,537

 

692,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Alt-A

 

272,911

 

220,845

 

128,359

 

381,767

 

2,409,793

 

3,413,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total subprime

 

21,094

 

3,051

 

5,578

 

4,167

 

464

 

34,354

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label MBS

 

$

820,076

 

$

251,885

 

$

166,676

 

$

418,464

 

$

2,483,794

 

$

4,140,895

 

 

72



Table of Contents

 

The following table provides additional information related to the Bank’s below investment grade MBS as shown in the table above.

 

Par Value of Private-Label Mortgage-Backed Securities and

Home Equity Loan Investments by Year of Securitization

For Securities Rated Below Investment Grade

At March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Double-B

 

Single-B

 

Triple-C

 

Double-C

 

Total

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

$

52,372

 

$

10,231

 

$

 

$

 

$

62,603

 

2004

 

10,934

 

 

 

 

10,934

 

Total residential MBS prime

 

63,306

 

10,231

 

 

 

73,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

60,225

 

218,450

 

498,957

 

 

777,632

 

2006

 

53,445

 

487,306

 

739,740

 

78,116

 

1,358,607

 

2005

 

127,072

 

146,482

 

 

 

273,554

 

Total residential MBS Alt-A

 

240,742

 

852,238

 

1,238,697

 

78,116

 

2,409,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label residential MBS

 

304,048

 

862,469

 

1,238,697

 

78,116

 

2,483,330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subprime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

464

 

 

 

 

464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label MBS

 

$

304,512

 

$

862,469

 

$

1,238,697

 

$

78,116

 

$

2,483,794

 

 

The following table stratifies the Bank’s private-label MBS by fair value as a percent of par value through 2008.

 

Fair Value as a Percent of Par Value by Year of Securitization

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

September 30, 2008

 

June 30, 2008

 

March 31, 2008

 

Private-label residential MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

82

%

79

%

92

%

92

%

91

%

2006

 

74

 

82

 

92

 

97

 

96

 

2005

 

52

 

54

 

81

 

89

 

85

 

2004

 

66

 

68

 

87

 

91

 

94

 

2003 and prior

 

84

 

81

 

93

 

97

 

97

 

Total prime

 

74

 

74

 

90

 

94

 

94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

46

 

52

 

68

 

75

 

78

 

2006

 

43

 

47

 

63

 

71

 

72

 

2005

 

50

 

54

 

73

 

81

 

80

 

2004

 

52

 

53

 

76

 

87

 

93

 

2003 and prior

 

80

 

79

 

91

 

91

 

91

 

Total Alt-A

 

46

 

51

 

67

 

75

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label residential MBS

 

50

%

54

%

71

%

78

%

79

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

57

%

71

%

76

%

75

%

81

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subprime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

75

 

77

 

77

 

78

 

70

 

2003 and prior

 

55

 

71

 

84

 

89

 

91

 

Total subprime

 

58

 

72

 

83

 

87

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total home equity

 

58

%

72

%

82

%

85

%

86

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label commercial MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

84

%

83

%

96

%

98

%

98

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total prime

 

76

%

76

%

91

%

95

%

95

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Alt-A

 

46

%

51

%

67

%

75

%

76

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total subprime

 

58

%

72

%

83

%

87

%

87

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label MBS

 

51

%

55

%

72

%

79

%

80

%

 

73



Table of Contents

 

The following table shows the summary credit enhancements associated with the Bank’s residential MBS issued by entities other than GSEs, with detail by collateral type and vintage. Average current credit enhancements as of March 31, 2009, reflect the percentage of subordinated class outstanding balance as of March 31, 2009, to the Bank’s senior class holding outstanding balances as of March 31, 2009, weighted by the par value of the Bank’s respective senior class securities, and shown by underlying loan collateral type and issuance vintage. Average current credit enhancements as of March 31, 2009, are indicative of the ability of subordinated classes to absorb loan collateral, lost principal, and interest shortfall before senior classes are impacted. The average current credit enhancements do not fully reflect the Bank’s credit protection in its private-label MBS holdings as prioritization in the timing of receipt of cash flows and credit event triggers accelerate the return of the Bank’s investment before losses can no longer be absorbed by subordinate classes.

 

Private-Label Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities

Summary Credit Enhancements

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Par Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair Value

 

Weighted
Average
Market Price

 

Original
Weighted
Average

 

Current
Weighted
Average

 

Minimum
Current
Credit
Support

 

Weighted
Average
Collateral
Delinquency (1)

 

Private-label residential MBS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

$

150,478

 

$

149,517

 

$

123,310

 

81.95

%

10.57

%

11.53

%

4.94

%

4.56

%

2006

 

77,217

 

77,118

 

57,392

 

74.33

 

11.18

 

12.59

 

9.81

 

5.88

 

2005

 

85,008

 

84,386

 

44,062

 

51.83

 

20.80

 

24.55

 

12.09

 

14.03

 

2004

 

103,956

 

103,982

 

68,466

 

65.86

 

10.49

 

19.05

 

4.20

 

11.10

 

2003 and prior

 

129,515

 

129,596

 

108,498

 

83.77

 

3.67

 

11.69

 

4.63

 

4.56

 

Total prime

 

546,174

 

544,599

 

401,728

 

84.09

 

10.60

 

15.18

 

4.20

 

7.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

964,706

 

903,528

 

445,930

 

46.22

 

25.12

 

24.36

 

6.92

 

40.06

 

2006

 

1,473,713

 

1,383,260

 

629,428

 

42.71

 

26.40

 

26.22

 

2.82

 

41.40

 

2005

 

880,345

 

867,124

 

438,656

 

49.83

 

26.59

 

31.32

 

10.03

 

25.80

 

2004

 

75,354

 

75,354

 

39,073

 

51.85

 

14.35

 

23.11

 

10.74

 

17.20

 

2003 and prior

 

19,557

 

19,554

 

15,562

 

79.58

 

4.20

 

19.29

 

7.18

 

4.84

 

Total Alt-A

 

3,413,675

 

3,248,820

 

1,568,649

 

45.95

 

25.69

 

26.90

 

2.82

 

36.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label RMBS

 

3,959,849

 

3,793,419

 

1,970,377

 

49.76

 

23.61

 

25.28

 

2.82

 

32.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

3,929

 

3,929

 

2,225

 

56.60

 

1.50

 

4.69

 

4.69

 

0.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subprime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

5,578

 

5,578

 

4,164

 

74.66

 

7.35

 

23.90

 

23.90

 

22.62

 

2003 and prior

 

28,776

 

28,767

 

15,880

 

55.18

 

9.54

 

43.16

 

(0.64

)

25.97

 

Total subprime

 

34,354

 

34,345

 

20,044

 

58.34

 

9.19

 

40.04

 

(0.64

)

25.43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total home equity

 

38,283

 

38,274

 

22,269

 

58.17

 

8.40

 

36.41

 

(0.64

)

22.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label commercial MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

142,763

 

142,682

 

120,047

 

84.09

 

21.44

 

26.36

 

13.86

 

2.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total prime

 

692,866

 

691,210

 

524,000

 

73.43

 

10.53

 

15.10

 

4.20

 

7.41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Alt-A

 

3,413,675

 

3,248,820

 

1,568,649

 

45.95

 

25.69

 

26.90

 

2.82

 

36.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total subprime

 

34,354

 

34,345

 

20,044

 

58.34

 

9.19

 

40.04

 

(0.64

)

25.43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label MBS

 

$

4,140,895

 

$

3,974,375

 

$

2,112,693

 

51.02

%

23.39

%

25.42

%

(0.64

)%

31.16

%

 


(1)          Represents loans that are 60 days or more delinquent.

 

74



Table of Contents

 

Characteristics of Private-label MBS in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position

As of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Par Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Weighted
Average
Collateral
Delinquency
Rates

 

March 31, 2009
% AAA

 

May 8, 2009
% AAA

 

May 8, 2009
%
Investment
Grade

 

May 8, 2009
% Below
Investment
Grade

 

May 8, 2009
% Watch List

 

Private-label residential MBS backed by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime first lien

 

$

546,174

 

$

544,600

 

$

(142,871

)

7.46

%

70.2

%

42.1

%

53.7

%

46.3

%

0.9

%

Alt-A option ARM

 

1,174,117

 

1,151,928

 

(694,224

)

36.02

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

27.4

 

72.6

 

0.2

 

Alt-A other

 

2,232,346

 

2,090,299

 

(986,033

)

36.34

 

12.1

 

11.2

 

25.3

 

74.7

 

4.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label residential MBS

 

3,952,637

 

3,786,827

 

(1,823,128

)

32.25

 

16.6

 

12.2

 

29.8

 

70.2

 

2.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private-label commercial MBS backed by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime first lien

 

142,763

 

142,682

 

(22,635

)

2.30

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity loans backed by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime first lien

 

3,929

 

3,929

 

(1,706

)

0.29

 

 

 

100.00

 

 

 

Subprime first lien

 

34,355

 

34,344

 

(14,300

)

25.43

 

61.4

 

61.4

 

90.3

 

9.7

 

10.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total home equity

 

38,284

 

38,273

 

(16,006

)

22.9

 

55.1

 

55.1

 

91.3

 

8.7

 

9.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label MBS

 

$

4,133,684

 

$

3,967,782

 

$

(1,861,769

)

31.1

%

19.8

%

15.6

%

32.8

%

67.2

%

2.7

%

 

75



Table of Contents

 

The following table provides the credit ratings of the third-party insurers.

 

Monoline Insurance of Private-Label Mortgage-Backed Securities and

Home Equity Loan Investments: Credit Ratings and Outlook

As of May 8, 2009

 

 

 

Moody’s

 

S&P

 

Fitch

 

 

Credit Rating

 

Outlook

 

Credit Rating

 

Outlook

 

Credit Rating

 

Outlook

AMBAC Assurance Corporation

 

Ba3

 

Developing

 

A

 

Negative

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

Financial Security Assurance, Inc.

 

Aa3

 

Developing

 

AAA

 

Negative

 

AAA

 

Negative Watch

MBIA Insurance Corporation

 

B3

 

Developing

 

BBB+

 

Negative

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

Syncora Guarantee Inc.

 

Ca

 

Developing

 

R

 

 

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company (FGIC)

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

 

Not Rated

Fannie Mae

 

Aaa

 

Stable

 

AAA

 

Stable

 

AAA

 

Stable

Freddie Mac

 

Aaa

 

Stable

 

AAA

 

Stable

 

AAA

 

Stable

 

The following table provides the geographic concentration by state and by metropolitan statistical area of the Bank’s private-label MBS and ABS as of March 31, 2009.

 

Geographic Concentration of Private-Label Mortgage and Asset-Backed Securities

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

State concentration

 

 

 

California

 

39.7

%

Florida

 

12.4

 

Arizona

 

4.3

 

New York

 

4.3

 

Virginia

 

4.1

 

All Other

 

35.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

Metropolitan Statistical Area

 

 

 

Los Angeles — Long Beach, CA

 

9.3

%

Washington, D.C.-MD-VA-WV

 

5.6

 

Riverside — San Bernardino, CA

 

4.5

 

San Diego, CA

 

4.0

 

Orange County, CA

 

4.0

 

All Other

 

72.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

The top five geographic areas represented in each of the two tables above have experienced mortgage loan default rates and home price depreciation rates that are significantly higher than national averages over the last two years.

 

In 2008 and through the first quarter of 2009, delinquency and foreclosure rates for subprime and Alt-A mortgages increased significantly nationwide, a trend that has continued through the date of this report and may continue through 2009. Moreover, home prices have fallen in many areas, increasing the likelihood and magnitude of potential losses to lenders on foreclosed real estate. The widespread impact of these trends has led to the recognition of significant losses by financial institutions, including commercial banks, investment banks, and financial guaranty providers. Uncertainty as to the depth and duration of these trends has led to a significant reduction in the market values of securities backed by subprime and Alt-A mortgages, and has elevated the potential for other-than-temporary impairment of some of these securities.

 

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Prices of many of the Bank’s private-label MBS continued to be depressed for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as delinquencies and foreclosures affecting the loans underlying these securities continued to worsen and as credit markets became highly illiquid beginning in late February and March 2008. This illiquidity has increased the amount of management judgment required to value its private-label MBS. The following graph demonstrates how average prices changed with respect to various asset classes in the Bank’s MBS portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2009:

 

 

Certain of the Bank’s investments in HFA bonds and MBS/ABS are insured by a third-party bond insurer. The bond insurance on these investments guarantees the timely payments of principal and interest if these payments cannot be satisfied from the cash flows of the underlying mortgage pool. For MBS/ABS that are protected by such third-party insurance, the Bank looks first to the performance of the underlying security, considering its embedded credit enhancements in the form of excess spread, overcollateralization, and credit subordination, to determine the collectability of all amounts due. If these protections are deemed insufficient to make probable the timely payment of all amounts due, then the Bank considers the capacity of the third-party bond insurer to cover any shortfalls. In the case that 1) it is probable that the underlying security will experience shortfalls in the timely repayment of principal or interest, and 2) the third-party bond insurer is deemed unlikely to be able to cover any such shortfalls, the security will be deemed other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

The following table shows the Bank’s private-label MBS and home equity loan investments covered by monoline insurance and related gross unrealized losses.

 

Par Value of Monoline Insurance Coverage and Related Unrealized Losses

of Private-Label Mortgage-Backed Securities and

Home Equity Loan Investments by Year of Securitization

At March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

AMBAC
Assurance Corp

 

Financial Security
Assurance Inc

 

MBIA Insurance Corp

 

Syncora Guarantee Inc.

 

Financial Guaranty
Insurance

 

 

 

Monoline
Insurance
Coverage

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Monoline
Insurance
Coverage

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Monoline
Insurance
Coverage

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Monoline
Insurance
Coverage

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Monoline
Insurance
Coverage

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Private-label MBS by year of securitization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

$

3,928

 

$

(1,705

)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

102,213

 

(42,833

)

37,905

 

(7,155

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

20,208

 

(12,670

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

42,309

 

(17,826

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 and prior

 

2,029

 

(76

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Alt-A

 

166,759

 

(73,405

)

37,905

 

(7,155

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subprime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,578

 

(1,414

)

 

 

2003 and prior

 

2,883

 

(1,459

)

7,582

 

(3,767

)

17,028

 

(6,926

)

 

 

1,284

 

(734

)

Total subprime

 

2,883

 

(1,459

)

7,582

 

(3,767

)

17,028

 

(6,926

)

5,578

 

(1,414

)

1,284

 

(734

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total private-label MBS

 

$

173,570

 

$

(76,569

)

$

45,487

 

$

(10,922

)

$

17,028

 

$

(6,926

)

$

5,578

 

$

(1,414

)

$

1,284

 

$

(734

)

 

77



Table of Contents

 

For the Bank’s other-than-temporary impairment analysis as of March 31, 2009, the Bank has determined the following related to the third-party bond insurance:

 

·                  HFA bonds. None of the Bank’s investments in HFA bonds were reliant upon a third-party bond insurer for purposes of returning contractual payment of principal and interest.

 

·                  MBS/ABS insured by Financial Security Assurance, Inc., Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, MBIA Insurance Corp., and Syncora Guarantee Inc.The Bank has determined that none of these investments were reliant upon the third-party bond insurer for purposes of returning contractual payment of principal and interest.

 

·                  MBS/ABS insured by Financial Guaranty Insurance Company. Two bonds were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008 due to qualitative reasons not related to expected loss of principal or interest, as discussed in the Bank’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

·                  MBS/ABS insured by Ambac Assurance Corp. For any bond that demonstrated a loss of principal or interest when cash flows were modeled without the third-party bond insurance, no reliance was placed on the third-party bond insurer and the bond was deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired because the Bank has determined that the financial condition of this insurer is not sufficiently stable on which such reliance should reasonably be placed.

 

The following table provides the credit ratings of these third-party bond insurers for HFA bonds, along with the amount of investment securities outstanding as of March 31, 2009.

 

Investments Insured by Financial Guarantors

Amortized Cost as of March 31, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

 

Financial Guarantors

 

Insurer Financial Strength
Ratings (Fitch/Moody’s/S&P)
As of May 8, 2009

 

HFA Bonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ambac Assurance Corp. (1)

 

wd/Ba3/A

 

$

29,324

 

Financial Security Assurance, Inc.

 

AAA*/Aa3/AAA

 

124,129

 

National Public Finance Guarantee (formerly MBIA Insurance Corp. of Illinois (2)

 

NR/Baa1/AA-

 

52,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

206,303

 

 


*                 Rating is on review for possible downgrade / on Credit Watch Negative

(1)         Rating withdrawn.

(2)         The existing domestic public finance portfolio of MBIA Insurance Corp. was transferred to MBIA Insurance Corp of Illinois on February 18, 2009.

 

Credit Risk — Mortgage Loans. The Bank is subject to credit risk on purchased mortgage loans acquired through the MPF program. All mortgage loans acquired under the MPF program are fixed-rate, fully amortizing mortgage loans. While Bank management believes that credit risk on this portfolio is appropriately managed through underwriting standards (the MPF program requires full

 

78



Table of Contents

 

documentation to conform to standards established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and member credit enhancement (CE) obligations, the Bank also maintains an allowance for credit losses. The Bank’s allowance for credit losses pertaining to mortgage loans was $450,000 and $350,000 at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. As of March 31, 2009, nonaccrual loans amounted to $26.4 million and consisted of 274 loans out of a total of approximately 42,500 loans. See Part I — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition — Mortgage Loans for additional information regarding the Bank’s delinquent loans. The Bank had no charge-offs related to mortgage loans foreclosed upon during the first three months of 2009.

 

The Bank is also subject to credit risk through MPF Xtra, even though it does not acquire mortgage loans through this program. For MPF Xtra, the Bank indemnifies the MPF Provider for certain retained risks, including the risk of the MPF Provider’s required repurchase of loans in the event of fraudulent or inaccurate representations and warranties from the PFI regarding the sold loans. The Bank may, in turn, seek reimbursement from the related PFI in any such circumstance, at which point it is exposed to the credit risk of the PFI. The PFI’s reimbursement obligation in such a circumstance would become an obligation under such PFI’s advances agreement with the Bank. However, in the event that such a PFI became insolvent and the Bank lacked sufficient collateral under the advances agreement to satisfy the obligation, the Bank would sustain a loss in the amount of such collateral shortfall.
 

The Bank is exposed to credit risk from mortgage insurance (MI) companies that provide CE in place of the PFI, as well as primary MI coverage on individual loans. As of March 31, 2009, the Bank was the beneficiary of primary MI coverage on $255.5 million of conventional mortgage loans, and the Bank was the beneficiary of supplemental mortgage guaranty insurance coverage on mortgage pools with a total unpaid principal balance of $56.7 million. Eight MI companies provide all of the coverage under these policies.

 

As of May 8, 2009, all of these MI companies have been downgraded to a rating lower than double-A minus (or its equivalent) by at least one NRSRO, citing poor results for 2008 and the continued deterioration in key variables that influence claims for mortgage insurance. The table below shows the ratings of these companies as of May 8, 2009.

 

The Bank has analyzed its potential loss exposure to all of the MI companies and does not expect incremental losses due to these rating actions. This expectation is based on the CE features of the Bank’s master commitments (exclusive of MI), the underwriting characteristics of the loans that back the Bank’s master commitments, the seasoning of the loans that back these master commitments, and the strong performance of the loans to date. The Bank closely monitors the financial conditions of these MI companies. The Bank has established limits on exposure to individual MI companies to ensure that the insurance coverage is sufficiently diversified. The following table shows MI companies as of March 31, 2009.

 

Mortgage-Insurance Companies That Provide MI Coverage

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Mortgage-Insurance

 

As of March 31, 2009

 

Mortgage Insurance
Company

 

Company Ratings
(Fitch/Moody’s/S&P)
As of May 8, 2009

 

Balance of
Loans with
Primary MI

 

Primary MI

 

Supplementary
MI

 

MI Coverage

 

Percent of
Total MI
Coverage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation

 

BBB/Ba2/BB

 

$

75,396

 

$

16,171

 

$

 

$

16,171

 

29.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation

 

NR/Baa2/BBB+

 

64,173

 

14,829

 

 

14,829

 

26.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMG Mortgage Insurance Company

 

A+/NR/A

 

27,475

 

6,332

 

 

6,332

 

11.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PMI Mortgage Insurance Company

 

NR/Ba3/BB-

 

26,069

 

5,336

 

 

5,336

 

9.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Guaranty Residential Insurance Corporation

 

BBB/A3/BBB+

 

20,529

 

4,259

 

 

4,259

 

7.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radian Guaranty Incorporated

 

NR/Ba3/BB-

 

18,445

 

3,388

 

 

3,388

 

6.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republic Mortgage Insurance Company

 

BBB/Baa2/A-

 

16,841

 

3,284

 

563

 

3,847

 

7.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triad Guaranty Insurance Corporation

 

NR/NR/NR

 

6,553

 

1,180

 

 

1,180

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 255,481

 

$

54,779

 

$

563

 

$

55,342

 

100.0

%

 

79



Table of Contents

 

Credit Risk — Derivative Instruments. The Bank is subject to credit risk on derivative instruments. Credit exposure from derivatives arises from the risk of counterparty default on the derivative contract. The amount of loss created by default is the replacement cost, or current positive fair value, of the defaulted contract, net of any collateral held by or pledged out to counterparties by the Bank. The credit risk to the Bank arising from unsecured credit exposure on derivatives is mitigated by the credit quality of the counterparties, and by the early termination ratings triggers contained in all master derivatives agreements. The Bank enters into derivatives only with nonmember institutions that have long-term senior unsecured credit ratings that are at or above single-A (or its equivalent) by S&P and Moody’s. Also, the Bank uses master-netting agreements to reduce its credit exposure from counterparty defaults. The master agreements contain bilateral-collateral-exchange provisions that require credit exposures beyond a defined amount be secured by U.S. government or GSE-issued securities or cash. Exposures are measured daily, and adjustments to collateral positions are made as necessary to minimize the Bank’s exposure to credit risk. The master agreements generally provide for smaller amounts of unsecured exposure to lower-rated counterparties. The Bank does not enter into interest-rate-exchange agreements with other FHLBanks, and had no such agreements as of March 31, 2009.

 

As illustrated in the following table, the Bank’s maximum credit exposure on interest-rate-exchange agreements is much less than the notional amount of the agreements. Additionally, mortgage-loan-purchase commitments are reflected in the following table as derivative instruments, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 149. The Bank does not collateralize mortgage-loan-purchase commitments. However, should the PFI fail to deliver the mortgage loans as agreed, the member institution is charged a fee to compensate the Bank for nonperformance of the agreement.

 

Derivative Instruments

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Notional
Amount

 

Number of
Counterparties

 

Total Net
Exposure at
Fair Value (4)

 

Net Exposure
after
Collateral

 

As of March 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate-exchange agreements: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Double-A

 

$

7,165,938

 

7

 

$

25,048

 

$

25,048

 

Single-A

 

23,059,974

 

9

 

3,645

 

3,645

 

Total interest-rate-exchange agreements

 

30,225,912

 

16

 

28,693

 

28,693

 

Mortgage-loan-purchase commitments (3)

 

20,633

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

$

30,246,545

 

16

 

$

28,738

 

$

28,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-rate-exchange agreements: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Double-A

 

$

10,829,574

 

7

 

$

19,201

 

$

19,201

 

Single-A

 

19,943,389

 

10

 

9,730

 

9,730

 

Unrated (2)

 

10,000

 

1

 

 

 

Total interest-rate-exchange agreements

 

30,782,963

 

18

 

28,931

 

28,931

 

Mortgage-loan-purchase commitments (3)

 

32,672

 

 

4

 

 

Forward contracts

 

10,000

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

$

30,825,635

 

19

 

$

28,935

 

$

28,931

 

 


(1)         Ratings are obtained from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P. If there is a split rating, the lowest rating is used.

(2)         This represents two contracts with a member institution.

(3)         Total fair-value exposures related to mortgage-loan-purchase commitments are offset by pair-off fees from the Bank’s members.

(4)         Total net exposure at fair value has been netted with cash collateral received from derivative counterparties.

 

As of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the following counterparties accounted for more than 10 percent of the total notional amount of interest-rate-exchange agreements outstanding (dollars in thousands):

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

Counterparty

 

Notional Amount
Outstanding

 

Percent of Total
Notional
Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

$

6,294,898

 

20.8

%

Barclays Bank PLC

 

3,114,777

 

10.3

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank

 

3,106,327

 

10.3

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

Counterparty

 

Notional Amount
Outstanding

 

Percent of Total
Notional
Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

$

4,914,103

 

16.0

%

Barclays Bank PLC

 

3,806,575

 

12.4

 

Credit Suisse First Boston International

 

3,373,005

 

11.0

 

Bank of America, N.A

 

3,083,587

 

10.0

 

 

The Bank may deposit funds with these counterparties and their affiliates for short-term money-market investments, including overnight federal funds, term federal funds, and interest-bearing certificates of deposit. Terms for such investments are overnight to 275 days. The Bank also engages in short-term secured reverse-repurchase agreements with affiliates of these counterparties. All of these counterparties and/or their affiliates buy, sell, and distribute the Bank’s COs and discount notes.

 

Contingent Credit Risk Standby Bond-Purchase Agreements. The Bank has entered into standby bond-purchase agreements with two state-housing finance agencies whereby the Bank, for a fee, agrees to purchase and hold the agencies’ unremarketed bonds until the designated remarketing agent can find a new investor or the housing agency repurchases the bonds according to a schedule established by the agreement. Each commitment agreement contains termination provisions in the event of a rating downgrade of the subject bond. All of the subject bonds are rated the highest long-term debt rating by at least two rating agencies. Total commitments for bond purchases were $354.9 million at March 31, 2009, of which $349.2 million were to one housing finance agency. All of the bonds underlying the commitments to this housing finance agency maintain standalone ratings of triple-A from two rating agencies, even though their financial guarantor AMBAC Assurance Corporation has been downgraded below triple-A. The bonds underlying an additional $5.7 million to another housing finance agency are split-rated triple-A- negative watch /Aa3, which reflects the ratings of the bonds’ financial guarantor, Financial Security Assurance, Inc.

 

Market and Interest-Rate Risk

 

Sources of Market and Interest-Rate Risk

 

The Bank’s balance sheet is a collection of different portfolios that require different types of market and interest-rate-risk-management strategies. The majority of the Bank’s balance sheet is comprised of assets that can be funded individually or collectively without imposing significant residual interest-rate risk on the Bank.

 

However, the Bank’s mortgage-related assets, including the portfolio of whole loans acquired through the MPF program, its portfolio of MBS and ABS, and its portfolio of bonds issued by HFAs, represent more complex cash-flow structures and contain more risk of prepayment and/or call options. Because many of these assets are backed by residential mortgages that allow the borrower to prepay and refinance at any time, the behavior of these portfolios is asymmetric based on the movement of interest rates. If rates fall, borrowers have an incentive to refinance mortgages without penalty, which could leave the Bank with lower-yielding replacement assets against existing debt assigned to the portfolio. If rates rise, borrowers will tend to hold existing loans longer than they otherwise would, imposing on the Bank the risk of having to refinance maturing debt assigned to these portfolios at a higher rate, thereby narrowing the interest-rate spread generated by the assets.

 

These risks cannot be profitably managed with a strategy in which each asset is offset by a liability with a substantially identical cash-flow structure. Therefore, the Bank views each portfolio as a whole and allocates funding and hedging to these portfolios based on an evaluation of the collective market and interest-rate risks posed by these portfolios. The Bank measures the estimated impact to fair values of these portfolios as well as the potential for income to decline due to movements in interest rates, and makes adjustments to the funding and hedge instruments assigned as necessary to keep the portfolios within established risk limits.

 

Types of Market and Interest-Rate Risk

 

Interest-rate and market risk can be divided into several categories, including repricing risk, yield-curve risk, basis risk, and options

 

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risk. Repricing risk refers to differences in the average sensitivities of asset and liability yields attributable to differences in the average timing of maturities and/or coupon resets between assets and liabilities. In isolation, repricing risk assumes that all rates may change by the same magnitude. However, differences in the timing of repricing of assets and liabilities can cause spreads between assets and liabilities to decline.

 

Yield-curve risk reflects the sensitivity of net income to changes in the shape or slope of the yield curve that could impact the performance of assets and liabilities differently, even though average sensitivities are the same.

 

When assets and liabilities are affected by yield changes in different markets, basis risk can result. For example, if the Bank invests in LIBOR-based floating-rate assets and funds those assets with short-term discount notes, potential compression in the spread between LIBOR and discount note rates could adversely affect the Bank’s net income.

 

The Bank also faces options risk, particularly in its portfolios of advances, mortgage loans, MBS, and HFA bonds. When a member prepays an advance, the Bank could suffer lower future income if the principal portion of the prepaid advance is reinvested in lower-yielding assets that continue to be funded by higher-cost debt. In the mortgage loan, MBS, and HFA-bond portfolios, borrowers or issuers often have the right to redeem their obligations prior to maturity without penalty, potentially requiring the Bank to reinvest the returned principal at lower yields. If interest rates decline, borrowers may be able to refinance existing mortgage loans at lower interest rates, resulting in the prepayment of these existing mortgages and forcing the Bank to reinvest the proceeds in lower-yielding assets. If interest rates rise, borrowers may avoid refinancing mortgage loans for periods longer than the average term of liabilities funding the mortgage loans, causing the Bank to have to refinance the assets at higher cost. This right of redemption is effectively a call option that the Bank has written to the obligor. Another less prominent form of options risk includes coupon-cap risk, which may be embedded into certain MBS and limit the amount by which asset coupons may increase.

 

Strategies to Manage Market and Interest-Rate Risk

 

General

 

The Bank uses various strategies and techniques to manage its market and interest-rate risk. Principal among its tools for interest-rate-risk management is the issuance of debt that is used to match interest-rate-risk exposures of the Bank’s assets. The Bank can issue COs with maturities ranging from overnight to 20 years or more. The debt may be noncallable until maturity or callable on and/or after a certain date.

 

To reduce the earnings exposure to rising interest rates caused by long-term, fixed-rate assets, the Bank may issue long-term, fixed-rate bonds. These bonds may be issued to fund specific assets or to generally manage the overall exposure of a portfolio or the balance sheet. At March 31, 2009, fixed-rate noncallable debt, not hedged by interest-rate-exchange agreements amounted to $10.9 billion, compared with $11.8 billion at December 31, 2008. Fixed-rate callable debt, not hedged by interest-rate-exchange agreements amounted to $3.4 billion and $3.0 billion at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

To achieve certain risk-management objectives, the Bank also uses interest-rate derivatives that alter the effective maturities, repricing frequencies, or option-related characteristics of financial instruments. These may include swaps, swaptions, caps, collars, and floors; futures and forward contracts; and exchange-traded options. For example, as an alternative to issuing a fixed-rate bond to fund a fixed-rate advance, the Bank might enter into an interest-rate swap that receives a floating-rate coupon and pays a fixed-rate coupon, thereby effectively converting the fixed-rate advance to a floating-rate advance.

 

Advances

 

In addition to the general strategies described above, one tool that the Bank uses to reduce the interest-rate risk associated with advances is a contractual provision that requires members to pay prepayment fees for advances that, if prepaid prior to maturity, might expose the Bank to a loss of income under certain interest-rate environments. In accordance with applicable regulations, the Bank has an established policy to charge fees sufficient to make the Bank financially indifferent to a member’s decision to repay an advance prior to its maturity. Prepayment fees are recorded as income for the period in which they are received.

 

Prepayment-fee income can be used to offset the cost of purchasing and retiring high-cost debt in order to maintain the Bank’s asset-liability sensitivity profile. In cases where derivatives are used to hedge prepaid advances, prepayment-fee income can be used to offset the cost of terminating the associated hedge.

 

Investments

 

The Bank holds certain long-term bonds issued by U.S. agencies, U.S. government corporations and instrumentalities, state or local housing-finance-agencies, and supranational banks as available-for-sale. To hedge the market and interest-rate risk associated with these assets, the Bank has entered into interest-rate swaps with matching terms to those of the bonds in order to create synthetic

 

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floating-rate assets. At March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, this portfolio had an amortized cost of $676.6 million and $698.5 million, respectively.

 

The Bank also manages the market and interest-rate risk in its MBS portfolio in several ways. For MBS classified as held-to-maturity, the Bank uses debt that matches the characteristics of the portfolio assets. For example, for floating-rate ABS, the Bank uses debt that reprices on a short-term basis, such as CO discount notes or CO bonds that are swapped to a LIBOR-based floating-rate. For commercial MBS that are nonprepayable or prepayable for a fee for an initial period, the Bank may use fixed-rate debt. For MBS that are classified as trading securities, the Bank uses interest-rate swaps to economically hedge the duration characteristics and interest-rate caps to economically hedge the option risk in these assets.

 

Mortgage Loans

 

The Bank manages the interest-rate and prepayment risk associated with mortgages through a combination of debt issuance and derivatives. The Bank issues both callable and noncallable debt to achieve cash-flow patterns and liability durations similar to those expected on the mortgage loans.

 

The Bank mitigates much of its exposure to changes in interest rates by funding a significant portion of its mortgage portfolio with callable debt. When interest rates change, the Bank’s option to redeem this debt offsets a large portion of the fair-value change driven by the mortgage-prepayment option. These bonds are effective in managing prepayment risk by allowing the Bank to respond in kind to prepayment activity. Conversely, if interest rates increase the debt may remain outstanding until maturity. The Bank uses various cash instruments including shorter-term debt, callable, and non-callable long-term debt in order to reprice debt when mortgages prepay faster or slower than expected. The Bank’s debt repricing capacity depends on market demand for callable and noncallable debt, which fluctuates from time to time. Additionally, because the mortgage-prepayment option is not fully hedged by callable debt, the combined market value of our mortgage assets and debt will be affected by changes in interest rates. As such, the Bank has enacted a more comprehensive strategy incorporating the use of derivatives. Derivatives provide a flexible, liquid, efficient, and cost-effective method to hedge interest-rate and prepayment risks.

 

To hedge the interest-rate-sensitivity risk due to potentially high prepayment speeds in the event of a drop in interest rates, the Bank has periodically purchased options to receive fixed rates on interest-rate swaps exercisable on specific future dates (receiver swaptions). These derivatives are structured to increase in value as interest rates decline, and provide an offset to the loss of market value that might result from rapid prepayments in the event of a downturn in interest rates. With the addition of these option-based derivatives, the market value of the portfolio becomes more stable because a greater portion of prepayment risk is covered. At March 31, 2009, the Bank had no receiver swaptions.

 

Interest-rate-risk management activities can significantly affect the level and timing of net income due to a variety of factors. As receiver swaptions are accounted for on a standalone basis and not as part of a hedge relationship under SFAS 133, changes in their fair values are recorded through net income each month. This may increase net income volatility if the offsetting periodic change in the MPF prepayment activity is markedly different from the fair-value change in the receiver swaptions. Additionally, performance of the MPF portfolio is interest-rate-path dependent, while receiver swaptions values are solely based on forward-looking rate expectations.

 

When the Bank executes transactions to purchase mortgage loans, in some cases the Bank may be exposed to significant market risk until permanent hedging and funding can be obtained in the market. In these cases, the Bank may enter into a forward sale of MBS to be announced (TBA) or other derivatives for forward settlement. As of March 31, 2009, the Bank did not have any outstanding TBA hedges.

 

Swapped Consolidated Obligation Debt

 

The Bank may also issue bonds in conjunction with interest-rate swaps that receive a coupon that offsets the bond coupon, and that offset any optionality embedded in the bond, thereby effectively creating a floating-rate liability. The Bank employs this strategy to achieve a lower cost of funds than may be available from the issuance of short-term consolidated discount notes. Total CO bond debt used in conjunction with interest-rate-exchange agreements was $11.7 billion, or 37.6 percent of the Bank’s total outstanding CO bonds at March 31, 2009, down from $15.5 billion, or 46.4 percent of total outstanding CO bonds, at December 31, 2008. Total CO discount note debt used in conjunction with interest-rate-exchange agreements was $3.2 billion, or 7.7 percent of the Bank’s total outstanding CO discount notes, at March 31, 2009. Total CO discount note debt used in conjunction with interest-rate-exchange agreements was $249.4 million, or 0.6 percent of the Bank’s total outstanding CO discount notes, at December 31, 2008. Because the interest-rate swaps and hedged CO bonds trade in different markets, they are subject to basis risk that is reflected in the Bank’s VaR calculations, but that is not reflected in hedge ineffectiveness as measured in accordance with SFAS 133, because these interest-rate swaps are designed to hedge changes in fair values of the CO bonds that are attributable to changes in the benchmark LIBOR interest rate.

 

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The Bank also uses interest-rate swaps, caps, and floors to manage the fair-value sensitivity of the portion of its MBS portfolio that is classified as trading securities. These interest-rate-exchange agreements provide an economic offset to the duration and convexity risks arising from these assets.

 

See Part I — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Financial Condition — Derivative Instruments for a summary of the Bank’s hedged items.

 

Measurement of Market and Interest-Rate Risk

 

The Bank measures its exposure to market and interest-rate risk using several techniques applied to the balance sheet and to certain portfolios within the balance sheet. Principal among these measurements as applied to the balance sheet is the potential future change in MVE and interest income due to potential changes in interest rates, spreads, and market prices. For purposes of measuring interest-income sensitivity over time, the Bank measures the repricing gaps between its assets and liabilities. The Bank also measures the duration gap of its mortgage-loan portfolio, including all assigned funding and hedging transactions.

 

The Bank uses sophisticated information systems to evaluate its financial position. These systems are capable of employing various interest-rate term-structure models and valuation techniques to determine the values and sensitivities of complex or option-embedded instruments such as mortgage loans; MBS; callable bonds and swaps; and adjustable-rate instruments with embedded caps and floors, among others. These models require the following:

 

·                 Specification of the contractual and behavioral features of each instrument;

 

·                 Determination and specification of appropriate market data, such as yield curves and implied volatilities;

 

·                 Utilization of appropriate term-structure and prepayment models to reasonably describe the potential evolution of interest rates over time and the expected behavior of financial instruments in response;

 

·                 For option-free instruments, the expected cash flows are specified in accordance with the term structure of interest rates and discounted using spot rates derived from the same term structure;

 

·                 For option-embedded instruments that are path-independent, such as callable bonds and swaps, a backward-induction process is used to evaluate each node on a lattice that captures the variety of scenarios specified by the term-structure model; and

 

·                 For option-embedded instruments that are path-dependent, such as mortgage-related instruments, a Monte Carlo simulation process is used to specify a large number of potential interest-rate scenarios that are randomly generated in accordance with the term structure of interest rates.

 

Market Value of Equity Estimation and Risk Limit. MVE is the net economic value (or net present value) of total assets and liabilities, including any off-balance-sheet items. In contrast to the GAAP-based shareholder’s equity account, MVE represents the shareholder’s equity account in present-value terms. Specifically, MVE equals the difference between the theoretical market value of assets and the theoretical market value of liabilities. MVE, and in particular, the ratio of MVE to the book value of equity (BVE), can be an indicator of future net income to the extent that it demonstrates the impact of prior interest-rate movements on the capacity of the current balance sheet to generate net interest income. For example, a liability-sensitive bank that has a lower MVE following an increase in interest rates can be expected to earn less net interest income in the future, as the increase in interest rates would have reduced the market value of assets to a greater extent than the market value of liabilities. However, MVE does not always provide an accurate indication of future net income. Even a bank with perfectly matched asset and liability repricing characteristics might experience fluctuations in its MVE if the discount rates used to evaluate assets and liabilities change differentially due to basis risk. For example, if yields used to discount assets increase more rapidly than yields used to discount liabilities, MVE will decline, despite the fact that the change in interest rates does not affect yields on current balance-sheet items. As another example, an entity whose debt securities decline in value due to credit concerns about the entity will show an increase in MVE if asset values do not fall by as much. Therefore, care must be taken to properly interpret the results of the MVE analysis.

 

The ratio of the MVE to the BVE is one of the metrics used to track the Bank’s potential future exposure to losses or reduced net income. At March 31, 2009, the Bank’s MVE was $1.8 billion and its BVE was $3.9 billion. At December 31, 2008, the Bank’s MVE was $1.8 billion and its BVE was $3.7 billion. The Bank’s ratio of MVE to BVE was 46.2 percent at March 31, 2009, down from 48.3 percent at December 31, 2008. The decline in this ratio is attributable to the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss from retained earnings as a result of the Bank’s adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2.

 

Interest-rate-risk analysis using MVE involves evaluating the potential changes in fair values of assets and liabilities and off-balance-sheet

 

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items under different potential future interest-rate scenarios and determining the potential impact on MVE according to each scenario and the scenario’s likelihood.

 

Value at risk (VaR) is defined to equal the ninety-ninth percentile potential reduction in MVE based on historical simulation of interest-rate scenarios. These scenarios correspond to interest-rate changes historically observed over 120-business-day periods starting at the most recent monthend and going back monthly to the beginning of 1978. This approach is useful in establishing risk-tolerance limits and is commonly used in asset/liability management; however, it does not imply a forecast of future interest-rate behavior. The Bank’s risk-management policy requires that VaR not exceed the latest quarterend dividend-adjusted level of retained earnings plus the Bank’s most recent quarterly estimate of net income over the next six months.

 

The table below presents the historical simulation VaR estimate as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, which represents the estimates of potential reduction to the Bank’s MVE from potential future changes in interest rates and other market factors. Estimated potential risk exposures are expressed as a percentage of then current MVE and are based on historical behavior of interest rates and other market factors over a 120-business-day time horizon.

 

 

 

Value-at-Risk

 

 

 

(Gain) Loss Exposure

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Confidence Level

 

% of
MVE (1)

 

$ million

 

% of
MVE (1)

 

$ million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50%

 

(0.21

)%

$

(3.7

)

0.18

%

$

3.2

 

75%

 

0.87

 

15.9

 

(0.84

)

(14.8

)

95%

 

2.84

 

51.7

 

(2.52

)

(44.6

)

99%

 

5.95

 

108.3

 

5.05

 

84.6

 

 


(1)          Loss exposure is expressed as a percentage of base MVE.

 

As measured by VaR, the Bank’s potential losses to MVE due to changes in interest rates and other market factors decreased by $23.7 million to $108.3 million as of March 31, 2009, from $84.6 million as of December 31, 2008.

 

The primary driver behind the increase in VaR from December 31, 2008, was disparate shifts in duration between the Bank’s assets and liabilities, inclusive of associated off-balance sheet instruments. While the Bank seeks to manage interest-rate risk through matching the tenor, interest-rate-reset characteristics, and optionality of its assets and liabilities, mismatches may occur, primarily between the Bank’s MPF mortgage-loan portfolio and associated liabilities. As a result, the Bank has a residual exposure to interest-rate movements, as illustrated by its duration of equity. Duration of equity, as measured by the Bank, represents the net percentage change in value between the Bank’s assets and liabilities for parallel +/- 50 basis point shifts in interest rates. A negative duration of equity indicates that the Bank’s MVE depreciates in declining-rate scenarios, and the converse holds true for rising-rate environments. As of March 31, 2009, the Bank’s duration of equity was -3.4 years, indicating that the Bank depreciates in value in those VaR scenarios that incorporate declining-rate environments.

 

The negative duration of equity observed by the Bank as of March 31, 2009 reflected ongoing market dislocation between the Bank’s assets, primarily its mortgage loan holdings, and fundings.  Efforts by the U.S. Treasury, Federal Reserve Bank, and other domestic agencies to resolve the ongoing U.S. housing market crisis have resulted in an extended period of lower mortgage rates, principally to those borrowers eligible for conforming Agency mortgage loans. This has resulted in increased prepayment sensitivity on the Bank’s

 

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MPF mortgage loans, thereby shortening the expected duration of these loans. This increased mortgage prepayment sensitivity is conditioned on normal functioning mortgage markets, and may not be realized if current housing market issues continue to impede mortgage refinancing for an extended period of time. Conversely, the duration of the Bank’s debt has lengthened, reflecting the ongoing market dislocation between FHLBank debt yields and swap rates. The projected higher forward rates associated with FHLBank debt in comparison to forward swap and mortgage rates indicates a lower probability of the Bank exercising embedded call options on its callable debt than potential prepayments on the Bank’s mortgage loans, thereby resulting in a negative duration of equity.

 

Income Simulation and Repricing Gaps. To provide an additional perspective on market and interest-rate risks, the Bank has an income-simulation model that projects net interest income over a range of potential interest-rate scenarios, including parallel interest-rate shocks, nonparallel interest-rate shocks, and nonlinear changes to the Bank’s funding curve and LIBOR. The Bank measures simulated 12-month net income and return on equity (with an assumption of no prepayment-fee income or related hedge or debt-retirement expense) under these scenarios. Management has put in place escalation-action triggers whereby senior management is explicitly informed of instances where the Bank’s projected return on equity would fall below three-month LIBOR in any of the assumed interest-rate scenarios. The results of this analysis for March 31, 2009, showed that in the worst-case scenario, the Bank’s return on equity would fall to 15 basis points above the average yield on three-month LIBOR under a yield curve scenario wherein interest rates instantaneously rise by 300 basis points in a parallel fashion across all yield curves.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

The Bank maintains operational liquidity in order to ensure that it meets its day-to-day business needs as well as its contractual obligations with normal sources of funding. The Bank’s risk-management policy has established a metric and policy limit within which the Bank operates. The Bank defines structural liquidity as the difference between contractual sources and uses of funds adjusted to assume that all maturing advances are renewed; member overnight deposits are withdrawn at a rate of 50 percent per day; and commitments (MPF and other commitments) are taken down at a conservatively projected pace. The Bank defines available liquidity as the sources of funds available to the Bank through its access to the capital markets, subject to leverage, line, and collateral constraints. The risk-management policy requires the Bank to maintain structural liquidity each day so that any excess of uses over sources is covered by available liquidity for a four-week forecast period and 50 percent of the excess of uses over sources is covered by available liquidity over eight- and 12-week forecast periods. In addition to these minimum requirements, management measures structural liquidity over a three-month forecast period. If the Bank’s excess of uses over sources is not fully covered by available liquidity over a two-month or three-month forecast period, senior management will be immediately notified so that a decision can be made as to whether immediate remedial action is necessary. The following table shows the Bank’s structural liquidity as of March 31, 2009.

 

Structural Liquidity

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Month 1

 

Month 2

 

Month 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual sources of funds

 

$

2,944,333

 

$

770,141

 

$

(2,014,501

)

Less: Contractual uses of funds

 

(6,686,388

)

(7,427,925

)

(5,050,958

)

Equals: Net cash flow

 

(3,742,055

)

(6,657,784

)

(7,065,459

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Cumulative contingent obligations

 

(10,908,668

)

(15,357,144

)

(20,015,601

)

Equals: Net structural liquidity

 

(14,650,723

)

(22,014,928

)

(27,081,060

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available borrowing capacity

 

$

47,480,997

 

$

54,358,480

 

$

58,918,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of available borrowing capacity to net structural liquidity need

 

3.24

 

2.47

 

2.18

 

Required ratio

 

1.00

 

0.50

 

0.50

 

Management action trigger

 

 

1.00

 

1.00

 

 

The Bank also maintains contingency-liquidity plans designed to enable it to meet its obligations in the event of operational disruption at the Bank, the Office of Finance, or the capital markets. The Bank maintains highly liquid assets at all times in an amount equal to or greater than the aggregate amount of all of its anticipated maturing advances over the following five days. As of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Bank held a surplus of $9.6 billion and $10.7 billion, respectively, of liquidity for the following five days, exclusive of access to the proceeds of CO debt issuance. In addition, on March 6, 2009, the Finance Agency provided final guidance revising and formalizing requests made for additional increases in liquidity that were provided to the FHLBanks in the third quarter of 2008. This final guidance requires the Bank to maintain sufficient liquidity, through short-term investments, in an amount at least equal to the Bank’s anticipated cash outflows under two different scenarios. One scenario assumes that the Bank cannot access the

 

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capital markets for a period of 15 days and that during that time members do not renew any maturing, prepaid, and called advances. The second scenario assumes that the Bank cannot access the capital markets for five days and that during that period the Bank will automatically renew maturing and called advances for all members except very large, highly rated members. The new requirement is designed to enhance the Bank’s protection against temporary disruptions in access to the FHLBank debt markets in response to a rise in capital markets volatility. As of March 31, 2009, the Bank’s contingency liquidity, as measured in accordance with Finance Agency regulations, was determined as follows:

 

Contingency Liquidity
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Cumulative Fifth
Business Day

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual sources of funds

 

$

4,681,498

 

Less: contractual uses of funds

 

(13,285,361

)

Equals: net cash flow

 

(8,603,863

)

 

 

 

 

Contingency borrowing capacity (exclusive of CO debt issuance)

 

18,201,297

 

 

 

 

 

Net contingency borrowing capacity

 

$

9,597,434

 

 

Additional information regarding liquidity is provided in Part 1 — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

Leverage Risk

 

The Bank has controls in place in an effort to ensure that capital is maintained within regulatory limitations. Accordingly, the Bank maintains at all times unweighted total regulatory capital in an amount equal to at least 4.0 percent of total assets and weighted regulatory capital, wherein permanent capital is weighted at 1.5 times its face amount, in an amount equal to at least 5.0 percent of total assets. Because all of the Bank’s regulatory capital is permanent capital, compliance with the unweighted total capital ratio requirement ensures compliance with the weighted regulatory capital ratio requirement. In order to balance the need to maintain compliance with these regulatory requirements against the need to adequately lever shareholder equity to provide an efficient return to shareholders, the Bank maintains its ratio of total capital to total assets between 4.0 percent and 5.5 percent measured at the end of each calendar month. Leverage limits are included in the Banks board-approved risk-management policy and ratios are reported to the board of directors monthly.

 

The Bank’s ratio of unweighted total regulatory capital to assets was 5.2 percent at March 31, 2009. If the Bank experiences significant losses due to other-than-temporary impairments of investment securities, the Bank might fail to comply with its minimum required ratio of total regulatory capital to total assets. In such a scenario the Bank would be subject to the capital restoration plan requirements, and be prohibited from paying dividends, irrespective of whether the Bank has eliminated its accumulated deficit, and either repurchasing or redeeming the Bank’s stock.

 

Business Risk

 

Management’s strategies for mitigating business risk include annual and long-term strategic planning exercises; continually monitoring key economic indicators, projections, and the Bank’s external environment; and developing contingency plans where appropriate. The Bank’s risk-assessment process also considers business risk, where appropriate, for each of the Bank’s major business activities.

 

Operational Risk

 

The Bank has instituted policies and procedures to mitigate operational risks. The Bank ensures that employees are properly trained for their roles and that written policies and procedures exist to support the key functions of the Bank. The Bank maintains a system of internal controls to ensure that responsibilities are adequately segregated and that the activities of the Bank are appropriately monitored and reported to management and the board of directors. Annual risk assessments review these risks and related controls for efficacy and potential opportunities for enhancement. Additionally, the Bank’s Operational Risk Committee oversees the Bank’s exposure to operational risk and reviews the following: new products, new processes, annual risk assessments, exceptions and related reports, new regulations affecting products and operations, and staff turnover. The Bank’s Internal Audit Department, which reports directly to the Audit Committee of the board of directors, regularly monitors the Bank’s adherence to established policies and procedures. However, some operational risks are beyond the Bank’s control, and the failure of other parties to adequately address their

 

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operational risks could adversely affect the Bank.

 

Disaster-Recovery/Business Continuity Provisions. The Bank maintains a disaster-recovery site in Westborough, Massachusetts to provide continuity of operations in the event that its Boston headquarters becomes unavailable. Data for critical computer systems is backed up regularly and stored offsite to avoid disruption in the event of a computer failure. The Bank also has a reciprocal back-up agreement in place with the FHLBank of Topeka to provide short-term liquidity advances in the event that both of the Massachusetts facilities are inoperable. In the event that the FHLBank of Topeka’s facilities are inoperable, the Bank will provide short-term liquidity advances to their members.

 

Insurance Coverage. The Bank has insurance coverage for employee fraud, forgery, alteration, and embezzlement, as well as director and officer liability protection for breach of duty, misappropriation of funds, negligence, and acts of omission. Additionally, comprehensive insurance coverage is currently in place for electronic data-processing equipment and software, personal property, leasehold improvements, fire/explosion/water damage, and personal injury including slander and libelous actions. The Bank maintains additional insurance protection as deemed appropriate, which covers automobiles, company credit cards, and business-travel accident and supplemental traveler’s coverage for both directors and staff. The Bank uses the services of an insurance consultant who periodically conducts a comprehensive review of insurance coverage levels.

 

Reputation Risk

 

The Bank has established a code of conduct and operational risk-management procedures to ensure ethical behavior among its staff and directors, and provides training to employees about its code of conduct. The Bank works to ensure that all communications are presented accurately, consistently, and in a timely way to multiple audiences and stakeholders. In particular, the Bank regularly conducts outreach efforts with its membership and with housing and economic-development advocacy organizations throughout New England. The Bank also cultivates relationships with government officials at the federal, state, and municipal levels; key media outlets; nonprofit housing and community-development organizations; and regional and national trade and business associations to foster awareness of the Bank’s mission, activities, and value to members. The Bank works closely with the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks and the Office of Finance to coordinate communications on a broader scale.

 

Item 4.        Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Bank’s senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Bank in the reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Bank’s disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Bank in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to the Bank’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the Bank’s disclosure controls and procedures, the Bank’s management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and the Bank’s management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of controls and procedures.

 

Management of the Bank has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures with the participation of the president and chief executive officer, and chief financial officer as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Bank’s president and chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that the Bank’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

As described in Part I — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments, in accordance with the Finance Agency’s Other Than Temporary Impairment Consistency Guidance, the Bank is required to use the key modeling assumptions provided by the FHLBank of San Francisco for the cash flow analysis of its residential private-label MBS, other than for subprime, monoline insured and home equity private-label MBS in its determination of other than temporary impairment for such MBS. Such assumptions are material to the determination of other-than-temporary impairment and, in turn, material to the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting. With respect to subprime private-label MBS, the FHLBanks with these types of private-label MBS, including the Bank, have selected the FHLBank of Chicago’s platform to ensure consistency in cash flow analysis, and the FHLBank of Chicago has provided such FHLBanks with the related modeling assumptions and cash flow analysis for purposes of analyzing credit losses and determining other-than-temporary-impairment

 

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on such private-label MBS. In the event that the FHLBank of Chicago does not have the ability to model a particular subprime MBS owned by the Bank, the latter will project the expected cash flows for that security based on the Bank’s expectations as to how the underlying collateral and impact on deal structure resultant from collateral cash flows are forecasted to occur over time. As the Bank does not have the same platform as FHLBank of Chicago to perform a cash flow analysis for such MBS the Bank engaged FHLBank of Chicago to perform an analysis of such private-label MBS. Such assumptions and modeling are material to the determination of other-than-temporary impairment and, in turn, material to the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, management has established procedures to review the documentation and assumptions provided by the FHLBanks of San Francisco and Chicago in order to determine whether such assumptions are reasonable and tested the results of the FHLBank of Chicago’s cash flow modeling based on the Bank’s internal modeling to ensure that these results are reasonable. Based on these reviews and tests, management has concluded that these changes did not diminish the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting. There were no other changes in the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

 

The Bank from time to time is subject to various pending legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. After consultation with legal counsel, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liability, if any, arising out of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

 

In addition to the risk factors provided below and other risks described herein, readers should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the Bank’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2009, which could materially affect the Bank’s business, financial condition, or future results. The risks described below, elsewhere in this report, and in the Bank’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Bank. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Bank or that the Bank currently deems immaterial may also materially affect the Bank.

 

The Bank is Subject to Increased Credit Risk Exposures Related to Subprime and Alt-A Mortgage Loans that Back its MBS Investments, and Any Increased Delinquency Rates and Credit Losses Could Adversely Affect the Yield on or Value of These Investments.

 

The Bank invests in private-label MBS, some of which are backed by subprime and Alt-A mortgage loans. While there is no universally accepted definition for prime and Alt-A underwriting standards, in general, prime underwriting implies a borrower without a history of delinquent payments and documented income and a loan amount that is at or less than 80 percent of the market value of the house, while Alt-A underwriting implies a prime borrower with limited income documentation and/or a loan-to-value ratio of higher than 80 percent. Although the Bank only invested in senior tranches with the highest long-term debt rating when purchasing those securities, some of those securities have subsequently been downgraded. See Part I —Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Credit Risk—Investments for a description of the Bank’s portfolio of investments in these securities.

 

In addition, market prices for the privately issued subprime and Alt-A securities the Bank holds remain depressed due to market uncertainty and illiquidity. Throughout 2008 and continuing through the period covered by this report, MBS backed by subprime and Alt-A mortgage loans experienced increased delinquencies and loss severities. As a result, the Bank could experience additional other-than-temporary impairment charges on those investment securities in the future, which could result in significant losses. See Part 1 —Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Credit Risk — Investments for more information on values of the Bank’s subprime and Alt-A MBS.

 

As described in Part I — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —Critical Accounting Estimates, other-than-temporary-impairment assessment is a subjective and complex assessment by management. The Bank incurred credit losses of $126.9 million and increases to other comprehensive loss of $767.7 million for MBS that management determined were other other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2009. If loan credit performance of the Bank’s private-label MBS portfolio deteriorates beyond the forecasted assumptions concerning loan default rates, loss severities, and prepayment speeds, the Bank may recognize additional credit losses and reductions to other comprehensive loss.

 

Ratings Downgrades and Decreases in the Fair Value of the Bank’s Investments May Increase the Bank’s Risk-Based Capital Requirement.

 

The Bank is subject to certain minimum capital requirements including a risk-based capital requirement, as described in Part I — Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —Financial Condition — Capital. The risk-based capital requirement is the sum of credit-risk, market-risk, and operations-risk capital requirements. Only permanent capital, defined as retained earnings plus Class B stock, can satisfy the risk-based capital requirement. Each of the Bank’s investments carries a credit-risk capital requirement that is based on the rating of the investment, and for non-mortgage investments and advances, based on the term, and the total credit-risk capital requirement is the sum of each investment’s credit-risk capital requirement. Accordingly, ratings downgrades on individual investments cause the total credit-risk-based capital requirement to rise. Declines in the fair value of the Bank’s investments below 85 percent of book value of equity increase the Bank’s market-risk capital requirement. The operations-risk capital requirement is impacted by increases in credit-risk and market-risk capital requirements because the operations-risk capital requirement is 30 percent of the sum of the credit-risk and market-risk capital requirements.

 

At March 31, 2009, the Bank’s total risk-based capital requirement was approximately $2.7 billion. At March 31, 2009, the Bank had permanent capital of $3.9 billion and this was in excess of its risk-based capital requirement by $1.3 billion. However, further ratings downgrades on the Bank’s investments or decreases in the fair value of the Bank’s investments may further increase the Bank’s risk-based capital requirement. If the Bank is unable to satisfy its risk-based capital requirement, the Bank would be subject to certain

 

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capital restoration requirements and prohibited from paying dividends, irrespective of whether the Bank has retained earnings or current net income, and redeeming or repurchasing capital stock without the prior approval of the Finance Agency which could adversely impact a member’s investment in the Bank’s capital stock.

 

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3.        Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4.        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

Item 5.        Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6.        Exhibits

 

10.1

 

Amendment to Severance Agreement and General Release dated April 30, 2009

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the president and chief executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the chief financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the president and chief executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of the chief financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

Date

 

 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF BOSTON

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

May 20, 2009

By:

 

/s/ M. Susan Elliott

 

 

 

M. Susan Elliott

 

 

 

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

May 20, 2009

By:

 

/s/ Frank Nitkiewicz

 

 

 

Frank Nitkiewicz

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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