| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Note 6 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The following table illustrates activity within the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, and is shown for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Net of Income Taxes) | (in thousands) | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges | | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities Available for Sale | | Post-Retirement Unfunded Health Benefit | | Total | Balance at December 31, 2012 | $ | (13,373 | ) | | 17,111 |
| | 363 |
| | 4,101 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | — |
| | (44,236 | ) | | 519 |
| | (43,717 | ) | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 274 |
| | (1,811 | ) | | (105 | ) | | (1,642 | ) | Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | 274 |
| | (46,047 | ) | | 414 |
| | (45,359 | ) | Balance at December 31, 2013 | $ | (13,099 | ) | | (28,936 | ) | | 777 |
| | (41,258 | ) | Other comprehensive income before reclassifications | — |
| | 29,041 |
| | 243 |
| | 29,284 |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 275 |
| | (818 | ) | | (88 | ) | | (631 | ) | Net current period other comprehensive income | 275 |
| | 28,223 |
| | 155 |
| | 28,653 |
| Balance at December 31, 2014 | $ | (12,824 | ) | | (713 | ) | | 932 |
| | (12,605 | ) | Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | — |
| | (15,806 | ) | | 143 |
| | (15,663 | ) | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 320 |
| | (1,703 | ) | | (168 | ) | | (1,551 | ) | Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | 320 |
| | (17,509 | ) | | (25 | ) | | (17,214 | ) | Balance at December 31, 2015 | $ | (12,504 | ) | | $ | (18,222 | ) | | $ | 907 |
| | $ | (29,819 | ) | | | | | | | | |
In accordance with ASC 740-20-45-11(b), a deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with unrealized gains and losses not recognized in income is charged directly to other comprehensive income (loss). During the years 2010 and 2011, Synovus recorded a deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with unrealized gains and losses not recognized in income directly to other comprehensive income (loss) by applying the portfolio approach for allocation of the valuation allowance. Synovus has consistently applied the portfolio approach which treats derivative instruments, equity securities, and debt securities as a single portfolio. As of December 31, 2015, the ending balance in net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges and net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale includes unrealized losses of $12.1 million and $13.3 million, respectively, related to the residual tax effects remaining in OCI due to the previously established deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Under the portfolio approach, these unrealized losses are realized at the time the entire portfolio is sold or disposed. The following table illustrates activity within the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components | | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented | | | For the Years Ended December 31, | | | | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | | | Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | | | Amortization of deferred losses | | $ | (448 | ) | | (448 | ) | | (447 | ) | | Interest expense | Amortization of deferred losses | | (73 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | Loss on early extinguishment of debt | | | 201 |
| | 173 |
| | 173 |
| | Income tax (expense) benefit | | | $ | (320 | ) | | (275 | ) | | (274 | ) | | Reclassifications, net of income taxes | Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale: | | | | | | | | | Realized gains, net on sales of securities | | $ | 2,769 |
| | 1,331 |
| | 2,945 |
| | Investment securities gains, net | | | (1,066 | ) | | (513 | ) | | (1,134 | ) | | Income tax (expense) benefit | | | $ | 1,703 |
| | 818 |
| | 1,811 |
| | Reclassifications, net of income taxes | Post-retirement unfunded health benefit: | | | | | | | | | Amortization of actuarial gains | | $ | 272 |
| | 144 |
| | 170 |
| | Salaries and other personnel expense | | | (104 | ) | | (56 | ) | | (65 | ) | | Income tax (expense) benefit | | | $ | 168 |
| | $ | 88 |
| | $ | 105 |
| | Reclassifications, net of income taxes | | | | | | | | | |
|