Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Chemical Financial Corporation ("Corporation" or "Chemical") operates in a single operating segment — commercial banking. The Corporation is a financial holding company, headquartered in Midland, Michigan, that operates through one commercial bank, Chemical Bank. Chemical Bank operates within the State of Michigan as a state-chartered commercial bank. Chemical Bank operates through an internal organizational structure of four regional banking units and offers a full range of traditional banking and fiduciary products and services to the residents and business customers in the bank’s geographical market areas. The products and services offered by the regional banking units, through branch banking offices, are generally consistent throughout the Corporation, as is the pricing of those products and services. The marketing of products and services throughout the Corporation’s regional banking units is generally uniform, as many of the markets served by the regional banking units overlap. The distribution of products and services is uniform throughout the Corporation’s regional banking units and is achieved primarily through retail branch banking offices, automated teller machines and electronically accessed banking products. The Corporation’s primary sources of revenue are interest from its loan products and investment securities, service charges and fees from customer deposit accounts and wealth management revenue. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments believed necessary to present fairly the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation for the periods presented. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. Use of Estimates Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change include the determination of the allowance for loan losses, expected cash flows from acquired loans, fair value amounts related to business combinations, pension expense, income taxes, goodwill impairment and those assets that require fair value measurement. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Business Combinations Pursuant to the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), the Corporation recognizes assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed in acquisitions at their fair values as of the acquisition date, with the acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs expensed in the period incurred. ASC 805 affords a measurement period beyond the acquisition date that allows the Corporation the opportunity to finalize the acquisition accounting in the event that new information is identified that existed as of the acquisition date but was not known by the Corporation at that time. The Corporation anticipates that measurement period adjustments may arise from adjustments to the fair values of assets and liabilities recognized at the acquisition date for its May 31, 2015 acquisition of Lake Michigan Financial Corporation ("Lake Michigan"), as additional information is obtained, such as appraisals of collateral securing loans and other borrower information. In the event that a measurement period adjustment is identified, the Corporation will recognize the adjustment as part of its acquisition accounting, which may result in an adjustment to goodwill being recorded in the period the adjustment was identified. See Note 2 for further information regarding the Corporation's mergers and acquisitions, including its pending merger with Talmer Bancorp, Inc. ("Talmer"). Originated Loans Originated loans include all of the Corporation's portfolio loans, excluding loans acquired in business combinations, as further discussed below. Originated loans are stated at their principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income, charge-offs and unamortized deferred fees and costs. Loan interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Deferred loan fees and costs are amortized over the loan term based on the level-yield method. Net loan commitment fees are deferred and amortized into fee income on a straight-line basis over the commitment period. The past due status of a loan is based on the loan’s contractual terms. A loan is placed in nonaccrual status (accrual of interest is discontinued) when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more (except for a loan that is secured by residential real estate, which is transferred to nonaccrual status at 120 days past due), unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection, or earlier when, in the opinion of management, there is sufficient reason to doubt the collectibility of principal or interest. Interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed and charged against interest income at the time the loan is placed in nonaccrual status. Subsequent receipts of interest while a loan is in nonaccrual status are recorded as a reduction of principal. Loans are returned to accrual status when principal and interest payments are brought current, payments have been received consistently for a period of time (generally six months) and collectibility is no longer in doubt. Loans Acquired in a Business Combination Loans acquired in a business combination ("acquired loans") consist of loans acquired on May 31, 2015 in the acquisition of Lake Michigan, on April 1, 2015 in the acquisition of Monarch Community Bancorp, Inc. ("Monarch"), on October 31, 2014 in the acquisition of Northwestern Bancorp, Inc. ("Northwestern"), and on April 30, 2010 in the acquisition of O.A.K. Financial Corporation ("OAK"). Acquired loans were recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, without a carryover of the associated allowance for loan losses related to these loans, through a fair value discount that was, in part, attributable to deterioration in credit quality. The estimate of expected credit losses was determined based on due diligence performed by executive and senior officers of the Corporation, with assistance from third-party consultants. The fair value discount was recorded as a reduction of the acquired loans’ outstanding principal balances in the consolidated statement of financial position at the acquisition date. The Corporation accounts for acquired loans, which are recorded at fair value at acquisition, in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality ("ASC 310-30"). ASC 310-30 allows investors to aggregate loans acquired into loan pools that have common risk characteristics and thereby use a composite interest rate and expectation of cash flows expected to be collected for the loan pools. Under the provisions of ASC 310-30, the Corporation aggregated acquired loans into 2 pools in the acquisition of Lake Michigan, 2 pools in the acquisition of Monarch, 4 pools in the acquisition of Northwestern and 14 pools in the acquisition of OAK based upon common risk characteristics, including types of loans, commercial type loans with similar risk grades and whether loans were performing or nonperforming. A pool is considered a single unit of accounting for the purposes of applying the guidance prescribed in ASC 310-30. A loan will be removed from a pool of acquired loans only if the loan is sold, foreclosed, paid off or written off, and will be removed from the pool at the carrying value. If an individual loan is removed from a pool of loans, the difference between its relative carrying amount and the cash, fair value of the collateral, or other assets received would not affect the effective yield used to recognize the accretable difference on the remaining pool. The Corporation estimated the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the pools of loans at acquisition and estimates expected cash flows quarterly thereafter, based on a set of assumptions including expectations as to default rates, prepayment rates and loss severities. The Corporation must make numerous assumptions, interpretations and judgments using internal and third-party credit quality information to determine whether it is probable that the Corporation will be able to collect all contractually required payments. This is a point in time assessment and inherently subjective due to the nature of the available information and judgment involved. The calculation of the fair value of the acquired loan pools entails estimating the amount and timing of cash flows attributable to both principal and interest expected to be collected on such loan pools and then discounting those cash flows at market interest rates. The excess of a loan pool's expected cash flows at the acquisition date over its estimated fair value is referred to as the "accretable yield," which is recognized into interest income over the estimated remaining life of the loan pool on a level-yield basis. The difference between a loan pool's contractually required principal and interest payments at the acquisition date and the cash flows expected to be collected at the acquisition date is referred to as the "nonaccretable difference," which includes an estimate of future credit losses expected to be incurred over the estimated life of the loan pool and interest payments that are not expected to be collected. Decreases to the expected cash flows in each loan pool in subsequent periods will require the Corporation to record a provision for loan losses. Improvements in expected cash flows in each loan pool in subsequent periods will result in reversing a portion of the nonaccretable difference, which is then classified as part of the accretable yield and subsequently recognized into interest income over the estimated remaining life of the loan pool. Loans Modified Under Troubled Debt Restructurings Loans modified under troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") involve granting a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions generally include modifications to original loan terms, including changes to a loan’s payment schedule or interest rate, which generally would not otherwise be considered. The Corporation’s TDRs include performing and nonperforming TDRs, which consist of originated loans that continue to accrue interest at the loan's original interest rate as the Corporation expects to collect the remaining principal and interest on the loan, and nonaccrual TDRs, which include originated loans that are in a nonaccrual status and are no longer accruing interest, as the Corporation does not expect to collect the full amount of principal and interest owed from the borrower on these loans. In accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, acquired loans are excluded from TDRs as these loans are accounted for in pools at net realizable value based on the principal and interest the Corporation expects to collect on such loans. At the time of modification (except for loans on nonaccrual status), a TDR is reported as a nonperforming TDR until a six-month payment history of principal and interest payments, in accordance with the terms of the loan modification, is sustained, at which time the Corporation moves the loan to a performing status ("performing TDR"). If the Corporation does not expect to collect all principal and interest on the loan, the modified loan is classified as a nonaccrual TDR. All TDRs are accounted for as impaired loans and are included in the Corporation’s analysis of the allowance for loan losses. A TDR that has been renewed by a borrower who is no longer experiencing financial difficulty and which yields a market rate of interest at the time of a renewal is no longer reported as a TDR. Loans in the Corporation’s commercial loan portfolio (comprised of commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and land development loans) that meet the definition of a TDR generally consist of loans where the Corporation has allowed borrowers to defer scheduled principal payments and make interest-only payments for a specified period of time at the stated interest rate of the original loan agreement or reduced payments due to a moderate extension of the loan’s contractual term. If the Corporation does not expect to collect all principal and interest on the loan, the modified loan is classified as a nonaccrual TDR. If the Corporation does not expect to incur a loss on the loan based on its assessment of the borrowers’ expected cash flows, as the pre- and post-modification effective yields are approximately the same, the loan is classified as a nonperforming TDR until a six-month payment history is sustained, at which time the loan is classified as a performing TDR. Since no loss is expected to be incurred on nonperforming TDRs, no additional provision for loan losses has been recognized for these loans and they continue to accrue interest at their contractual interest rate. Nonperforming TDRs are individually evaluated for impairment and transferred to nonaccrual status if they become 90 days past due as to principal or interest payments or if it is probable that any remaining principal and interest payments due on the loan will not be collected in accordance with the modified terms of the loan. Loans in the Corporation’s consumer loan portfolio (comprised of residential mortgage, consumer installment and home equity loans) that meet the definition of a performing or nonperforming TDR generally consist of residential mortgage loans that include a concession that reduces a borrower’s monthly payments by decreasing the interest rate charged on the loan for a specified period of time (generally 24 months) under a formal modification agreement. The Corporation recognizes an additional provision for loan losses related to impairment on these loans on an individual basis based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. These loans continue to accrue interest at their effective interest rate, which consists of contractual interest under the terms of the modification agreement in addition to an adjustment for the accretion of computed impairment. These loans are moved to nonaccrual status if they become 90 days past due as to principal or interest payments, or sooner if conditions warrant. Impaired Loans A loan is defined to be impaired when it is probable that payment of principal and interest will not be paid in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans (including nonaccrual TDRs), performing and nonperforming TDRs and acquired loans that were not performing in accordance with original contractual terms. Impaired loans are accounted for at the lower of the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate or the estimated fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. When the present value of expected cash flows or the fair value of collateral of an impaired loan in the originated loan portfolio is less than the amount of unpaid principal outstanding on the loan, the principal balance of the loan is reduced to its carrying value through either an allocation of the allowance for loan losses or a partial charge-off of the loan balance. Nonperforming Loans Nonperforming loans are comprised of loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued (nonaccrual loans, including nonaccrual TDRs), accruing originated loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments and nonperforming TDRs. Acquired loans that were classified as nonperforming loans prior to being acquired and acquired loans that are not performing in accordance with contractual terms subsequent to acquisition are not classified as nonperforming loans subsequent to acquisition because the loans are recorded in pools at net realizable value based on the principal and interest the Corporation expects to collect on such loans. Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses ("allowance") is presented as a reserve against loans. The allowance represents management’s assessment of probable loan losses inherent in the Corporation’s loan portfolio. Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on a continuing review of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, the underlying value of the collateral, risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, the level and composition of nonperforming loans, the financial condition of the borrowers, the balance of the loan portfolio, loan growth, economic conditions, employment levels in the Corporation’s local markets, and special factors affecting specific business sectors. The Corporation maintains formal policies and procedures to monitor and control credit risk. Management evaluates the allowance on a quarterly basis in an effort to ensure the level is appropriate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance provides for probable losses that have been identified with specific customer relationships and for probable losses believed to be incurred in the remainder of the originated loan portfolio, but that have not been specifically identified. The Corporation utilizes its own loss experience to estimate inherent losses on loans. Internal risk ratings are assigned to each loan in the commercial loan portfolio (commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and land development loans) at the time of origination and are subject to subsequent periodic reviews by senior management. The Corporation performs a detailed credit quality review quarterly on all loans greater than $0.25 million that have deteriorated below certain levels of credit risk, and may allocate a specific portion of the allowance to such loans based upon this review. A portion of the allowance is allocated to the remaining loans by applying projected loss ratios, based on numerous factors. Projected loss ratios incorporate factors such as charge-off experience, trends with respect to adversely risk-rated loans in the commercial loan portfolio, trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual loans, changes in economic conditions and trends, changes in the value of underlying collateral and other credit risk factors. This evaluation involves a high degree of uncertainty. In determining the allowance and the related provision for loan losses, the Corporation considers four principal elements: (i) valuation allowances based upon probable losses identified during the review of impaired loans in the commercial loan portfolio, (ii) reserves established for adversely-rated loans in the commercial loan portfolio and nonaccrual residential mortgage, consumer installment and home equity loans based on loan loss experience of other adversely-rated loans, (iii) reserves, by loan classes, on all other loans based principally on a five-year historical loan loss experience, with equal weighting placed on all of the years, loan loss trends and giving consideration to estimated loss emergence periods, and (iv) a reserve for qualitative factors that take into consideration risks inherent in the originated loan portfolio that differ from historical loan loss experience. Although the Corporation allocates portions of the allowance to specific loans and loan types, the entire allowance attributable to originated loans is available for any loan losses that occur in the originated portfolio. Loans that are deemed not collectible are charged off and reduce the allowance. The provision for loan losses and recoveries on loans previously charged off increase the allowance. Collection efforts may continue and recoveries may occur after a loan is charged off. Acquired loans are aggregated into pools based upon common risk characteristics. An allowance may be recorded related to an acquired loan pool if it experiences a decrease in expected cash flows, as compared to those projected at the acquisition date. On a quarterly basis, the expected future cash flow of each pool is estimated based on various factors, including changes in property values of collateral dependent loans, default rates, loss severities and prepayment speeds. Decreases in estimates of expected cash flows within a pool generally result in a charge to the provision for loan losses and a corresponding increase in the allowance allocated to acquired loans for the particular pool. Increases in estimates of expected cash flows within a pool generally result in a reduction in the allowance allocated to acquired loans for the particular pool, if applicable, and then an adjustment to the accretable yield for the pool, which will increase amounts recognized in interest income in subsequent periods. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance. Such agencies may require additions to the allowance, based on their judgment, reflecting information available to them at the time of their examinations. Fair Value Measurements Fair value for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts such sales or transfers based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Assumptions are developed based on prioritizing information within a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data, such as the reporting entity’s own data. The Corporation may choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value measurement option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option (i) may be applied instrument by instrument, with certain exceptions, allowing the Corporation to record identical financial assets and liabilities at fair value or by another measurement basis permitted under GAAP, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and (iii) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. At June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, the Corporation had elected the fair value option on all of its residential mortgage loans held-for-sale. The Corporation has not elected the fair value option for any other financial assets or liabilities. Share-Based Compensation The Corporation grants stock options, stock awards, restricted stock performance units and restricted stock service-based units to certain executive and senior management employees. The Corporation accounts for share-based compensation expense using the modified-prospective transition method. Under that method, compensation expense is recognized for stock options based on the estimated grant date fair value as computed using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the probability of issuance. The Corporation accounts for stock awards based on the closing stock price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of the award. The fair values of both stock options and stock awards are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The Corporation accounts for restricted stock performance units based on the closing stock price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of grant, discounted by the present value of estimated future dividends to be declared over the requisite performance or service period. The fair value of restricted stock performance units is recognized as compensation expense over the expected requisite performance period, or requisite service period for awards with multiple performance and service conditions. The Corporation accounts for restricted stock service-based units based on the closing stock price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of grant, as these awards accrue dividend equivalents equal to the amount of any cash dividends that would have been payable to a shareholder owning the number of shares of the Corporation's common stock represented by the restricted stock service-based units. The fair value of the restricted stock service-based units is recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period. Cash flows realized from the tax benefits of exercised stock option awards that result from actual tax deductions that are in excess of the recorded tax benefits related to the compensation expense recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) are classified as financing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Bank-Owned Life Insurance The Corporation has life insurance policies on certain key officers of Chemical Bank. The majority of the bank-owned life insurance policies of the Corporation were obtained through its acquisition of Lake Michigan. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the cash surrender value, net of surrender charges, and is included within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial position and changes in the cash surrender values are recorded as other noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income. Income and Other Taxes The Corporation is subject to the income and other tax laws of the United States, the State of Michigan and any other states where nexus has been created. These laws are complex and are subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the various taxing authorities. In determining the provision for income and other taxes, management must make judgments and estimates about the application of these inherently complex laws, related regulations and case law. In the process of preparing the Corporation’s tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of enacted tax laws. These interpretations are subject to challenge by the tax authorities upon audit or to reinterpretation based on management’s ongoing assessment of facts and evolving case law. On a quarterly basis, management assesses the reasonableness of its effective federal tax rate based upon its estimate of taxable income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reassessed on a quarterly basis, including the need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Uncertain income tax positions are evaluated to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the tax position. If a tax position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained, a tax benefit is recognized for the amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized. Reserves for contingent income tax liabilities attributable to unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions are reviewed quarterly for adequacy based upon developments in tax law and the status of audits or examinations. The Corporation had no contingent income tax liabilities recorded at June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 or June 30, 2015. Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects, Federal Historic Projects and New Market Tax Credits The Corporation invests in qualified affordable housing projects, federal historic projects, and new market projects for the purpose of community reinvestment and obtaining tax credits. Return on the Corporation's investment in these projects comes in the form of the tax credits and tax losses that pass through to the Corporation. The carrying value of the investments are reflected in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial position. The Corporation utilizes the proportional amortization method to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects and the equity method to account for investments in other tax credit projects. Under the proportional amortization method, the Corporation amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits allocated. The Corporation recognized additional income tax expense attributable to the amortization of investments in qualified affordable housing projects of $0.6 million and $1.2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. The Corporation's remaining investment in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for under the proportional amortization method totaled $24.3 million at June 30, 2016, $21.7 million at December 31, 2015 and $21.4 million at June 30, 2015. Under the equity method, the Corporation's share of the earnings or losses are included in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income. The Corporation's remaining investment in new market projects accounted for under the equity method totaled $7.5 million, $1.7 million and $3.3 million at June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively. The Corporation's unfunded equity contributions relating to investments in qualified affordable housing projects, federal historic tax projects and new market projects is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial position. The Corporation's remaining unfunded equity contributions totaled $11.5 million, $8.0 million and $9.7 million at June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015. Management analyzes these investments for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying amount of the investment will not be realized. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of an investment exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment losses recognized as of June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 or June 30, 2015. The Corporation consolidates variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which it is the primary beneficiary. In general, a VIE is an entity that either (i) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (ii) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities or (iii) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns as generated by its operations. If any of these characteristics are present, the entity is subject to a variable interests consolidation model, and consolidation is based on variable interests, not on ownership of the entity's outstanding voting stock. Variable interests are defined as contractual, ownership, or other monetary interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in the entity's net asset value. The primary beneficiary consolidates the VIE. The primary beneficiary is defined as the enterprise that has the power to direct the activities and absorb losses or the right to receive benefits. The Corporation is a significant limited partner in the qualified affordable housing, federal historic and new market projects it has invested in. These projects meet the definition of VIEs. However, the Corporation is not the primary beneficiary of any of the VIEs in which it holds a limited partnership interest; therefore, the VIEs are not consolidated in the Corporation's consolidated financial statements. Shareholders’ Equity Common Stock Repurchase Programs From time to time, the board of directors of the Corporation approves common stock repurchase programs allowing management to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock in the open market. The repurchased shares are available for later reissuance in connection with potential future stock dividends, the Corporation’s dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plans and other general corporate purposes. Under these programs, the timing and actual number of shares subject to repurchase are at the discretion of management and are contingent on a number of factors, including the projected parent company cash flow requirements and the Corporation’s market price per share. In January 2008, the board of directors of the Corporation authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock under a stock repurchase program. In November 2011, the board of directors of the Corporation reaffirmed the stock buy-back authorization with the qualification that the shares may only be repurchased if the share price is below the tangible book value per share of the Corporation’s common stock at the time of the repurchase. Since the January 2008 authorization, no shares have been repurchased. At June 30, 2016, there were 500,000 remaining shares available for repurchase under the Corporation’s stock repurchase program. Shelf Registration On June 12, 2014, the Corporation filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for an indeterminate amount of securities, which became immediately effective. The shelf registration statement provides the Corporation with the ability to raise capital, subject to SEC rules and limitations, if the board of directors of the Corporation decides to do so. Preferred Stock On April 20, 2015, the shareholders of the Corporation approved an amendment to the restated articles of incorporation which eliminated and replaced the previous class of 200,000 shares of preferred stock, that had been approved by shareholders on April 20, 2009, with a new class of 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock. At June 30, 2016, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. Common Stock On July 19, 2016, the shareholders of the Corporation approved an amendment to the restated articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 60,000,000 to 100,000,000 in connection with the pending merger with Talmer. Legal Matters On February 22, 2016, two putative class action and derivative complaints were filed in the Circuit Court for Oakland County, Michigan by individuals purporting to be a shareholder of Talmer. The actions are styled Regina Gertel Lee v. Chemical Financial Corporation, et. al., Case No. 2016-151642-CB and City of Livonia Employees’ Retirement System v. Chemical Financial Corporation et. al., Case No. 2016-151641-CB. These complaints purport to be brought derivatively on behalf of Talmer against the individual defendants, and individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated against Talmer and Chemical. The complaints allege, among other things, that the directors of Talmer breached their fiduciary duties to Talmer’s shareholders in connection with the merger by approving a transaction pursuant to an allegedly inadequate process that undervalues Talmer and includes preclusive deal protection provisions, and that Chemical allegedly aided and abetted the Talmer directors in breaching their duties to Talmer’s shareholders. The complaints also allege that the individual defendants have been unjustly enriched. Both complaints seek various remedies on behalf of the putative class (consisting of all shareholders of Talmer who are not related to or affiliated with any defendant). They request, among other things, that the Court enjoin the merger from being consummated in accordance with its agreed-upon terms, direct the Talmer directors to exercise their fiduciary duties, rescind the merger agreement to the extent that it is already implemented, award the plaintiff all costs and disbursements in each respective action (including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees), and grant such further relief as the court deems just and proper. The City of Livonia plaintiff amended its complaint on April 21, 2016 to add additional factual allegations, including but not limited to allegations that Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc. served as a financial advisor for the proposed merger despite an alleged conflict of interest, that Talmer’s board acted under actual or potential conflicts of interest, and that the defendants omitted and/or misrepresented material information about the proposed merger in the Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. Talmer, Chemical and the individual defendants all believe that the claims asserted against each of them in the above-described lawsuits are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against these lawsuits. These two cases ere consolidated as In re Talmer Bancorp Shareholder Litigation, case number 2016-151641-CB, per an order entered on May 12, 2016. On March 22, 2016, an additional putative class action and derivative complaint was filed in the Circuit Court for Oakland County, Michigan, by an individual purporting to be a shareholder of Talmer, styled Stephen Bushansky v. Gary Torgow et. al. Case No. 2016-152112-CB. This action contained similar allegations, claims, and requests for relief as the complaints filed in the Lee and City of Livonia lawsuits discussed above. The Bushansky lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff as to all defendants, without prejudice, on April 18, 2016. On April 27, 2016, Stephen Bushansky filed a new putative class action complaint in the United State District Court for Eastern District of Michigan, styled Stephen Bushansky v. Talmer Bancorp In. et.al., Docket No. 1:16-cv-11511. This lawsuit alleged violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and named Talmer, Chemical, and several individuals as defendants. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the Defendants issued materially incomplete and misleading disclosures in the preliminary Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. The Federal Bushansky lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff as to all defendants, without prejudice, on June 20, 2016. On April 6, 2016, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by another purported shareholder of Talmer, styled Matthew Sciabacucchi v. Chemical Financial Corporation et. al., Docket No. 1:16-cv-11261. Mr. Sciabacucchi purports to bring this action “on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated.” This lawsuit alleges violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, naming Talmer, Chemical, and several individuals as defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the Defendants issued materially incomplete and misleading disclosures in the Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. The Complaint contains requests for relief that include, among other things, that the Court enjoin the proposed transaction, rescind the transaction if it is consummated or award rescissory damages, order the Talmer directors to file a revised Registration Statement, declare that the Defendants violated Sections 14(a) and/or Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as well as Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder, award the plaintiff all costs associated with bringing the action (including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees), and grant such further relief as the court deems just and proper. Talmer, Chemical and the individual defendants all believe that the claims asserted against each of them in this lawsuit are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against this lawsuit. On April 25, 2016, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by another purported shareholder of Talmer, styled Kevin Nicholl v. Chemical Financial Corporation et. al., Docket No. 1:16-cv-11482. The plaintiff names Talmer, Chemical, and several individuals as defendants. This lawsuit was styled as a class action and derivative action, and alleged breach of fiduciary duties as well as violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Nicholl lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff as to all defendants, with prejudice, on June 20, 2016. On June 16, 2016, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by a purported Talmer shareholder, styled City of Livonia Employees’ Retirement System v. Chemical Financial Corporation, et. al., Docket No. 2:16-cv-12229. The plaintiff purports to bring the action “individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,” and requests certification as a class action. This lawsuit alleges violations of Section 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Complaint alleges, among other things, that the Defendants issued materially incomplete and misleading disclosures in the Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. The Complaint contains requests for relief that include, among other things, that the Court enjoin the proposed transaction unless and until additional information is provided to Talmer’s shareholders, declare that the Defendants violated the securities laws in connection with the proposed merger, award compensatory damages, interest, attorneys’ and experts’ fees, and that the Court grant such other relief as it deems just and proper. Talmer, Chemical, and the individual defendants all believe that the claims asserted against each of them in this lawsuit are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against this lawsuit. In addition, the Corporation and Chemical Bank are subject to certain legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Corporation. Reclassifications Certain amounts appearing in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation. The reclassification had no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity as previously reported. Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). ASU 2015-02 is applicable to reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, ASU 2015-02 (i) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs, (ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, (iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships and (iv) provides a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Customer's Accounting for Cloud Computing Fees In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05"). ASU 2015-05 provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. ASU 2015-05 does not change the accounting for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. The purpose of ASU 2015-05 is to clarify which fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement should be capitalized and which fees should be expensed as incurred. The adoption of ASU 2015-05 prospectively effective January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Pending Accounting Pronouncements Recognition and Measurement In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01"). ASU 2016-01 amends current guidance by: (i) requiring equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) allowing an entity to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at either fair value or cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices, with changes in measurement recognized in net income, (iii) simplifying the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iv) eliminating the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (v) requiring use the of exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (vi) requiring recognition of changes in the fair value related to instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income if the fair value option for financial liabilities is elected, (vii) requiring separate presentation in the financial statements of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category, and (8) clarifying that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. ASU 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption only for items (iv) and (vi) above. Early adoption of the other items mentioned above is not permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). Under ASU 2016-02, the Corporation will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): (i) a right to use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term and (ii) a lease liability, which is a liability that represents lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Stock Compensation In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 allows for simplification of several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under ASU 2016-09, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. ASU 2016-09 also requires recognition of excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. ASU 2016-09 further permits the withholding of an amount up to employees' maximum individual tax rate in the relevant jurisdiction without resulting in a liability classification. ASU 2016-09 also requires any excess tax benefits be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes to be classified as a financing activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-09 on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Credit Losses In June, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. ASU 2016-13 requires an entity measure expected credit losses for financial assets over the estimated lifetime of expected credit loss and record an allowance that, when deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, presents the net amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The standard includes the following core concepts in determining the expected credit loss estimate: (a) be based on an asset’s amortized cost (including premiums or discounts, net deferred fees and costs, foreign exchange and fair value hedge accounting adjustments), (b) reflect losses expected over the remaining contractual life of an asset (considering the effect of voluntary prepayments), (c) consider available relevant information about the estimated collectability of cash flows (including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts), and (d) reflect the risk of loss, even when that risk is remote. ASU 2016-13 also amends the recording of purchased credit-deteriorated assets. Under the new guidance, an allowance will be recognized at acquisition through a gross-up approach whereby an entity will record as the initial amortized cost the sum of (a) the purchase price and (b) an estimate of credit losses as of the date of acquisition. In addition, the guidance also requires immediate recognition in earnings any subsequent changes, both favorable and unfavorable, in expected cash flows by adjusting this allowance. ASU 2016-13 amends the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and requires entities to determine whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on an available-for-sale debt security is a credit loss. Management may not use the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position as a factor in concluding whether a credit loss exists, as is currently permitted. In addition, an entity will recognize an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities as a contra-account to the amortized cost basis rather than as a direct reduction of the amortized cost basis of the investment, as is currently required. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time under current practice. New disclosures required by ASU 2016-13 include: (a) for financial assets measured at amortized cost, an entity will be required to disclose information about how it developed its allowance, including changes in the factors that influenced management’s estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes, (b) for financial receivables and net investments in leases measured at amortized cost, an entity will be required to further disaggregate the information it currently discloses about the credit quality of these assets by year or the asset’s origination or vintage for as many as five annual periods, and (c) for available-for-sale debt securities, an entity will be required to provide a roll-forward of the allowance for credit losses and an aging analysis for securities that are past due. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings will be recorded as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Corporation is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2016-13 to determine the potential impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Chemical Financial Corporation ("Corporation" or "Chemical") operates in a single operating segment — commercial banking. The Corporation is a financial holding company, headquartered in Midland, Michigan, that operates through one commercial bank, Chemical Bank. Chemical Bank operates within the State of Michigan as a state-chartered commercial bank. Chemical Bank operates through an internal organizational structure of four regional banking units and offers a full range of traditional banking and fiduciary products and services to the residents and business customers in the bank’s geographical market areas. The products and services offered by the regional banking units, through branch banking offices, are generally consistent throughout the Corporation, as is the pricing of those products and services. The marketing of products and services throughout the Corporation’s regional banking units is generally uniform, as many of the markets served by the regional banking units overlap. The distribution of products and services is uniform throughout the Corporation’s regional banking units and is achieved primarily through retail branch banking offices, automated teller machines and electronically accessed banking products.

The Corporation’s primary sources of revenue are interest from its loan products and investment securities, service charges and fees from customer deposit accounts and wealth management revenue.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments believed necessary to present fairly the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation for the periods presented. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Use of Estimates

Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change include the determination of the allowance for loan losses, expected cash flows from acquired loans, fair value amounts related to business combinations, pension expense, income taxes, goodwill impairment and those assets that require fair value measurement. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Business Combinations

Pursuant to the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), the Corporation recognizes assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed in acquisitions at their fair values as of the acquisition date, with the acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs expensed in the period incurred.

ASC 805 affords a measurement period beyond the acquisition date that allows the Corporation the opportunity to finalize the acquisition accounting in the event that new information is identified that existed as of the acquisition date but was not known by the Corporation at that time. The Corporation anticipates that measurement period adjustments may arise from adjustments to the fair values of assets and liabilities recognized at the acquisition date for its May 31, 2015 acquisition of Lake Michigan Financial Corporation ("Lake Michigan"), as additional information is obtained, such as appraisals of collateral securing loans and other borrower information. In the event that a measurement period adjustment is identified, the Corporation will recognize the adjustment as part of its acquisition accounting, which may result in an adjustment to goodwill being recorded in the period the adjustment was identified.

See Note 2 for further information regarding the Corporation's mergers and acquisitions, including its pending merger with Talmer Bancorp, Inc. ("Talmer").

Originated Loans

Originated loans include all of the Corporation's portfolio loans, excluding loans acquired in business combinations, as further discussed below. Originated loans are stated at their principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income, charge-offs and unamortized deferred fees and costs. Loan interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Deferred loan fees and costs are amortized over the loan term based on the level-yield method. Net loan commitment fees are deferred and amortized into fee income on a straight-line basis over the commitment period.

The past due status of a loan is based on the loan’s contractual terms. A loan is placed in nonaccrual status (accrual of interest is discontinued) when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more (except for a loan that is secured by residential real estate, which is transferred to nonaccrual status at 120 days past due), unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection, or earlier when, in the opinion of management, there is sufficient reason to doubt the collectibility of principal or interest. Interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed and charged against interest income at the time the loan is placed in nonaccrual status. Subsequent receipts of interest while a loan is in nonaccrual status are recorded as a reduction of principal. Loans are returned to accrual status when principal and interest payments are brought current, payments have been received consistently for a period of time (generally six months) and collectibility is no longer in doubt.

Loans Acquired in a Business Combination

Loans acquired in a business combination ("acquired loans") consist of loans acquired on May 31, 2015 in the acquisition of Lake Michigan, on April 1, 2015 in the acquisition of Monarch Community Bancorp, Inc. ("Monarch"), on October 31, 2014 in the acquisition of Northwestern Bancorp, Inc. ("Northwestern"), and on April 30, 2010 in the acquisition of O.A.K. Financial Corporation ("OAK"). Acquired loans were recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, without a carryover of the associated allowance for loan losses related to these loans, through a fair value discount that was, in part, attributable to deterioration in credit quality. The estimate of expected credit losses was determined based on due diligence performed by executive and senior officers of the Corporation, with assistance from third-party consultants. The fair value discount was recorded as a reduction of the acquired loans’ outstanding principal balances in the consolidated statement of financial position at the acquisition date.

The Corporation accounts for acquired loans, which are recorded at fair value at acquisition, in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality ("ASC 310-30"). ASC 310-30 allows investors to aggregate loans acquired into loan pools that have common risk characteristics and thereby use a composite interest rate and expectation of cash flows expected to be collected for the loan pools. Under the provisions of ASC 310-30, the Corporation aggregated acquired loans into 2 pools in the acquisition of Lake Michigan, 2 pools in the acquisition of Monarch, 4 pools in the acquisition of Northwestern and 14 pools in the acquisition of OAK based upon common risk characteristics, including types of loans, commercial type loans with similar risk grades and whether loans were performing or nonperforming. A pool is considered a single unit of accounting for the purposes of applying the guidance prescribed in ASC 310-30. A loan will be removed from a pool of acquired loans only if the loan is sold, foreclosed, paid off or written off, and will be removed from the pool at the carrying value. If an individual loan is removed from a pool of loans, the difference between its relative carrying amount and the cash, fair value of the collateral, or other assets received would not affect the effective yield used to recognize the accretable difference on the remaining pool. The Corporation estimated the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the pools of loans at acquisition and estimates expected cash flows quarterly thereafter, based on a set of assumptions including expectations as to default rates, prepayment rates and loss severities. The Corporation must make numerous assumptions, interpretations and judgments using internal and third-party credit quality information to determine whether it is probable that the Corporation will be able to collect all contractually required payments. This is a point in time assessment and inherently subjective due to the nature of the available information and judgment involved.

The calculation of the fair value of the acquired loan pools entails estimating the amount and timing of cash flows attributable to both principal and interest expected to be collected on such loan pools and then discounting those cash flows at market interest rates. The excess of a loan pool's expected cash flows at the acquisition date over its estimated fair value is referred to as the "accretable yield," which is recognized into interest income over the estimated remaining life of the loan pool on a level-yield basis. The difference between a loan pool's contractually required principal and interest payments at the acquisition date and the cash flows expected to be collected at the acquisition date is referred to as the "nonaccretable difference," which includes an estimate of future credit losses expected to be incurred over the estimated life of the loan pool and interest payments that are not expected to be collected. Decreases to the expected cash flows in each loan pool in subsequent periods will require the Corporation to record a provision for loan losses. Improvements in expected cash flows in each loan pool in subsequent periods will result in reversing a portion of the nonaccretable difference, which is then classified as part of the accretable yield and subsequently recognized into interest income over the estimated remaining life of the loan pool.

Loans Modified Under Troubled Debt Restructurings

Loans modified under troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") involve granting a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions generally include modifications to original loan terms, including changes to a loan’s payment schedule or interest rate, which generally would not otherwise be considered. The Corporation’s TDRs include performing and nonperforming TDRs, which consist of originated loans that continue to accrue interest at the loan's original interest rate as the Corporation expects to collect the remaining principal and interest on the loan, and nonaccrual TDRs, which include originated loans that are in a nonaccrual status and are no longer accruing interest, as the Corporation does not expect to collect the full amount of principal and interest owed from the borrower on these loans. In accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, acquired loans are excluded from TDRs as these loans are accounted for in pools at net realizable value based on the principal and interest the Corporation expects to collect on such loans. At the time of modification (except for loans on nonaccrual status), a TDR is reported as a nonperforming TDR until a six-month payment history of principal and interest payments, in accordance with the terms of the loan modification, is sustained, at which time the Corporation moves the loan to a performing status ("performing TDR"). If the Corporation does not expect to collect all principal and interest on the loan, the modified loan is classified as a nonaccrual TDR. All TDRs are accounted for as impaired loans and are included in the Corporation’s analysis of the allowance for loan losses. A TDR that has been renewed by a borrower who is no longer experiencing financial difficulty and which yields a market rate of interest at the time of a renewal is no longer reported as a TDR.

Loans in the Corporation’s commercial loan portfolio (comprised of commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and land development loans) that meet the definition of a TDR generally consist of loans where the Corporation has allowed borrowers to defer scheduled principal payments and make interest-only payments for a specified period of time at the stated interest rate of the original loan agreement or reduced payments due to a moderate extension of the loan’s contractual term. If the Corporation does not expect to collect all principal and interest on the loan, the modified loan is classified as a nonaccrual TDR. If the Corporation does not expect to incur a loss on the loan based on its assessment of the borrowers’ expected cash flows, as the pre- and post-modification effective yields are approximately the same, the loan is classified as a nonperforming TDR until a six-month payment history is sustained, at which time the loan is classified as a performing TDR. Since no loss is expected to be incurred on nonperforming TDRs, no additional provision for loan losses has been recognized for these loans and they continue to accrue interest at their contractual interest rate. Nonperforming TDRs are individually evaluated for impairment and transferred to nonaccrual status if they become 90 days past due as to principal or interest payments or if it is probable that any remaining principal and interest payments due on the loan will not be collected in accordance with the modified terms of the loan.

Loans in the Corporation’s consumer loan portfolio (comprised of residential mortgage, consumer installment and home equity loans) that meet the definition of a performing or nonperforming TDR generally consist of residential mortgage loans that include a concession that reduces a borrower’s monthly payments by decreasing the interest rate charged on the loan for a specified period of time (generally 24 months) under a formal modification agreement. The Corporation recognizes an additional provision for loan losses related to impairment on these loans on an individual basis based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. These loans continue to accrue interest at their effective interest rate, which consists of contractual interest under the terms of the modification agreement in addition to an adjustment for the accretion of computed impairment. These loans are moved to nonaccrual status if they become 90 days past due as to principal or interest payments, or sooner if conditions warrant.

Impaired Loans

A loan is defined to be impaired when it is probable that payment of principal and interest will not be paid in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans (including nonaccrual TDRs), performing and nonperforming TDRs and acquired loans that were not performing in accordance with original contractual terms. Impaired loans are accounted for at the lower of the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate or the estimated fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. When the present value of expected cash flows or the fair value of collateral of an impaired loan in the originated loan portfolio is less than the amount of unpaid principal outstanding on the loan, the principal balance of the loan is reduced to its carrying value through either an allocation of the allowance for loan losses or a partial charge-off of the loan balance.

Nonperforming Loans

Nonperforming loans are comprised of loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued (nonaccrual loans, including nonaccrual TDRs), accruing originated loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments and nonperforming TDRs.

Acquired loans that were classified as nonperforming loans prior to being acquired and acquired loans that are not performing in accordance with contractual terms subsequent to acquisition are not classified as nonperforming loans subsequent to acquisition because the loans are recorded in pools at net realizable value based on the principal and interest the Corporation expects to collect on such loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses ("allowance") is presented as a reserve against loans. The allowance represents management’s assessment of probable loan losses inherent in the Corporation’s loan portfolio.

Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on a continuing review of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, the underlying value of the collateral, risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, the level and composition of nonperforming loans, the financial condition of the borrowers, the balance of the loan portfolio, loan growth, economic conditions, employment levels in the Corporation’s local markets, and special factors affecting specific business sectors. The Corporation maintains formal policies and procedures to monitor and control credit risk. Management evaluates the allowance on a quarterly basis in an effort to ensure the level is appropriate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

The allowance provides for probable losses that have been identified with specific customer relationships and for probable losses believed to be incurred in the remainder of the originated loan portfolio, but that have not been specifically identified. The Corporation utilizes its own loss experience to estimate inherent losses on loans. Internal risk ratings are assigned to each loan in the commercial loan portfolio (commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and land development loans) at the time of origination and are subject to subsequent periodic reviews by senior management. The Corporation performs a detailed credit quality review quarterly on all loans greater than $0.25 million that have deteriorated below certain levels of credit risk, and may allocate a specific portion of the allowance to such loans based upon this review. A portion of the allowance is allocated to the remaining loans by applying projected loss ratios, based on numerous factors. Projected loss ratios incorporate factors such as charge-off experience, trends with respect to adversely risk-rated loans in the commercial loan portfolio, trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual loans, changes in economic conditions and trends, changes in the value of underlying collateral and other credit risk factors. This evaluation involves a high degree of uncertainty.

In determining the allowance and the related provision for loan losses, the Corporation considers four principal elements: (i) valuation allowances based upon probable losses identified during the review of impaired loans in the commercial loan portfolio, (ii) reserves established for adversely-rated loans in the commercial loan portfolio and nonaccrual residential mortgage, consumer installment and home equity loans based on loan loss experience of other adversely-rated loans, (iii) reserves, by loan classes, on all other loans based principally on a five-year historical loan loss experience, with equal weighting placed on all of the years, loan loss trends and giving consideration to estimated loss emergence periods, and (iv) a reserve for qualitative factors that take into consideration risks inherent in the originated loan portfolio that differ from historical loan loss experience.

Although the Corporation allocates portions of the allowance to specific loans and loan types, the entire allowance attributable to originated loans is available for any loan losses that occur in the originated portfolio. Loans that are deemed not collectible are charged off and reduce the allowance. The provision for loan losses and recoveries on loans previously charged off increase the allowance. Collection efforts may continue and recoveries may occur after a loan is charged off.

Acquired loans are aggregated into pools based upon common risk characteristics. An allowance may be recorded related to an acquired loan pool if it experiences a decrease in expected cash flows, as compared to those projected at the acquisition date. On a quarterly basis, the expected future cash flow of each pool is estimated based on various factors, including changes in property values of collateral dependent loans, default rates, loss severities and prepayment speeds. Decreases in estimates of expected cash flows within a pool generally result in a charge to the provision for loan losses and a corresponding increase in the allowance allocated to acquired loans for the particular pool. Increases in estimates of expected cash flows within a pool generally result in a reduction in the allowance allocated to acquired loans for the particular pool, if applicable, and then an adjustment to the accretable yield for the pool, which will increase amounts recognized in interest income in subsequent periods.

Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance. Such agencies may require additions to the allowance, based on their judgment, reflecting information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts such sales or transfers based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Assumptions are developed based on prioritizing information within a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data, such as the reporting entity’s own data.

The Corporation may choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value measurement option has been elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option (i) may be applied instrument by instrument, with certain exceptions, allowing the Corporation to record identical financial assets and liabilities at fair value or by another measurement basis permitted under GAAP, (ii) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and (iii) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. At June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, the Corporation had elected the fair value option on all of its residential mortgage loans held-for-sale. The Corporation has not elected the fair value option for any other financial assets or liabilities.

Share-Based Compensation

The Corporation grants stock options, stock awards, restricted stock performance units and restricted stock service-based units to certain executive and senior management employees. The Corporation accounts for share-based compensation expense using the modified-prospective transition method. Under that method, compensation expense is recognized for stock options based on the estimated grant date fair value as computed using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the probability of issuance. The Corporation accounts for stock awards based on the closing stock price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of the award. The fair values of both stock options and stock awards are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The Corporation accounts for restricted stock performance units based on the closing stock price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of grant, discounted by the present value of estimated future dividends to be declared over the requisite performance or service period. The fair value of restricted stock performance units is recognized as compensation expense over the expected requisite performance period, or requisite service period for awards with multiple performance and service conditions. The Corporation accounts for restricted stock service-based units based on the closing stock price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of grant, as these awards accrue dividend equivalents equal to the amount of any cash dividends that would have been payable to a shareholder owning the number of shares of the Corporation's common stock represented by the restricted stock service-based units. The fair value of the restricted stock service-based units is recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.

Cash flows realized from the tax benefits of exercised stock option awards that result from actual tax deductions that are in excess of the recorded tax benefits related to the compensation expense recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) are classified as financing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Corporation has life insurance policies on certain key officers of Chemical Bank. The majority of the bank-owned life insurance policies of the Corporation were obtained through its acquisition of Lake Michigan. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the cash surrender value, net of surrender charges, and is included within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial position and changes in the cash surrender values are recorded as other noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income.

Income and Other Taxes

The Corporation is subject to the income and other tax laws of the United States, the State of Michigan and any other states where nexus has been created. These laws are complex and are subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the various taxing authorities. In determining the provision for income and other taxes, management must make judgments and estimates about the application of these inherently complex laws, related regulations and case law. In the process of preparing the Corporation’s tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of enacted tax laws. These interpretations are subject to challenge by the tax authorities upon audit or to reinterpretation based on management’s ongoing assessment of facts and evolving case law.

On a quarterly basis, management assesses the reasonableness of its effective federal tax rate based upon its estimate of taxable income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reassessed on a quarterly basis, including the need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

Uncertain income tax positions are evaluated to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the tax position. If a tax position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained, a tax benefit is recognized for the amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized. Reserves for contingent income tax liabilities attributable to unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions are reviewed quarterly for adequacy based upon developments in tax law and the status of audits or examinations. The Corporation had no contingent income tax liabilities recorded at June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 or June 30, 2015.

Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects, Federal Historic Projects and New Market Tax Credits

The Corporation invests in qualified affordable housing projects, federal historic projects, and new market projects for the purpose of community reinvestment and obtaining tax credits. Return on the Corporation's investment in these projects comes in the form of the tax credits and tax losses that pass through to the Corporation. The carrying value of the investments are reflected in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial position. The Corporation utilizes the proportional amortization method to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects and the equity method to account for investments in other tax credit projects.

Under the proportional amortization method, the Corporation amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits allocated. The Corporation recognized additional income tax expense attributable to the amortization of investments in qualified affordable housing projects of $0.6 million and $1.2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. The Corporation's remaining investment in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for under the proportional amortization method totaled $24.3 million at June 30, 2016, $21.7 million at December 31, 2015 and $21.4 million at June 30, 2015.

Under the equity method, the Corporation's share of the earnings or losses are included in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income. The Corporation's remaining investment in new market projects accounted for under the equity method totaled $7.5 million, $1.7 million and $3.3 million at June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

The Corporation's unfunded equity contributions relating to investments in qualified affordable housing projects, federal historic tax projects and new market projects is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial position. The Corporation's remaining unfunded equity contributions totaled $11.5 million, $8.0 million and $9.7 million at June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015.

Management analyzes these investments for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying amount of the investment will not be realized. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of an investment exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment losses recognized as of June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 or June 30, 2015.

The Corporation consolidates variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which it is the primary beneficiary. In general, a VIE is an entity that either (i) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (ii) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities or (iii) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns as generated by its operations. If any of these characteristics are present, the entity is subject to a variable interests consolidation model, and consolidation is based on variable interests, not on ownership of the entity's outstanding voting stock. Variable interests are defined as contractual, ownership, or other monetary interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in the entity's net asset value. The primary beneficiary consolidates the VIE. The primary beneficiary is defined as the enterprise that has the power to direct the activities and absorb losses or the right to receive benefits. The Corporation is a significant limited partner in the qualified affordable housing, federal historic and new market projects it has invested in. These projects meet the definition of VIEs. However, the Corporation is not the primary beneficiary of any of the VIEs in which it holds a limited partnership interest; therefore, the VIEs are not consolidated in the Corporation's consolidated financial statements.

Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Programs

From time to time, the board of directors of the Corporation approves common stock repurchase programs allowing management to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock in the open market. The repurchased shares are available for later reissuance in connection with potential future stock dividends, the Corporation’s dividend reinvestment plan, employee benefit plans and other general corporate purposes. Under these programs, the timing and actual number of shares subject to repurchase are at the discretion of management and are contingent on a number of factors, including the projected parent company cash flow requirements and the Corporation’s market price per share.

In January 2008, the board of directors of the Corporation authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock under a stock repurchase program. In November 2011, the board of directors of the Corporation reaffirmed the stock buy-back authorization with the qualification that the shares may only be repurchased if the share price is below the tangible book value per share of the Corporation’s common stock at the time of the repurchase. Since the January 2008 authorization, no shares have been repurchased. At June 30, 2016, there were 500,000 remaining shares available for repurchase under the Corporation’s stock repurchase program.

Shelf Registration

On June 12, 2014, the Corporation filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for an indeterminate amount of securities, which became immediately effective. The shelf registration statement provides the Corporation with the ability to raise capital, subject to SEC rules and limitations, if the board of directors of the Corporation decides to do so.

Preferred Stock

On April 20, 2015, the shareholders of the Corporation approved an amendment to the restated articles of incorporation which eliminated and replaced the previous class of 200,000 shares of preferred stock, that had been approved by shareholders on April 20, 2009, with a new class of 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock. At June 30, 2016, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

On July 19, 2016, the shareholders of the Corporation approved an amendment to the restated articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 60,000,000 to 100,000,000 in connection with the pending merger with Talmer.

Legal Matters

On February 22, 2016, two putative class action and derivative complaints were filed in the Circuit Court for Oakland County, Michigan by individuals purporting to be a shareholder of Talmer. The actions are styled Regina Gertel Lee v. Chemical Financial Corporation, et. al., Case No. 2016-151642-CB and City of Livonia Employees’ Retirement System v. Chemical Financial Corporation et. al., Case No. 2016-151641-CB. These complaints purport to be brought derivatively on behalf of Talmer against the individual defendants, and individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated against Talmer and Chemical. The complaints allege, among other things, that the directors of Talmer breached their fiduciary duties to Talmer’s shareholders in connection with the merger by approving a transaction pursuant to an allegedly inadequate process that undervalues Talmer and includes preclusive deal protection provisions, and that Chemical allegedly aided and abetted the Talmer directors in breaching their duties to Talmer’s shareholders. The complaints also allege that the individual defendants have been unjustly enriched. Both complaints seek various remedies on behalf of the putative class (consisting of all shareholders of Talmer who are not related to or affiliated with any defendant). They request, among other things, that the Court enjoin the merger from being consummated in accordance with its agreed-upon terms, direct the Talmer directors to exercise their fiduciary duties, rescind the merger agreement to the extent that it is already implemented, award the plaintiff all costs and disbursements in each respective action (including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees), and grant such further relief as the court deems just and proper. The City of Livonia plaintiff amended its complaint on April 21, 2016 to add additional factual allegations, including but not limited to allegations that Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc. served as a financial advisor for the proposed merger despite an alleged conflict of interest, that Talmer’s board acted under actual or potential conflicts of interest, and that the defendants omitted and/or misrepresented material information about the proposed merger in the Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. Talmer, Chemical and the individual defendants all believe that the claims asserted against each of them in the above-described lawsuits are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against these lawsuits. These two cases ere consolidated as In re Talmer Bancorp Shareholder Litigation, case number 2016-151641-CB, per an order entered on May 12, 2016.

On March 22, 2016, an additional putative class action and derivative complaint was filed in the Circuit Court for Oakland County, Michigan, by an individual purporting to be a shareholder of Talmer, styled Stephen Bushansky v. Gary Torgow et. al. Case No. 2016-152112-CB. This action contained similar allegations, claims, and requests for relief as the complaints filed in the Lee and City of Livonia lawsuits discussed above. The Bushansky lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff as to all defendants, without prejudice, on April 18, 2016. On April 27, 2016, Stephen Bushansky filed a new putative class action complaint in the United State District Court for Eastern District of Michigan, styled Stephen Bushansky v. Talmer Bancorp In. et.al., Docket No. 1:16-cv-11511. This lawsuit alleged violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and named Talmer, Chemical, and several individuals as defendants. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the Defendants issued materially incomplete and misleading disclosures in the preliminary Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. The Federal Bushansky lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff as to all defendants, without prejudice, on June 20, 2016.

On April 6, 2016, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by another purported shareholder of Talmer, styled Matthew Sciabacucchi v. Chemical Financial Corporation et. al., Docket No. 1:16-cv-11261. Mr. Sciabacucchi purports to bring this action “on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated.” This lawsuit alleges violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, naming Talmer, Chemical, and several individuals as defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the Defendants issued materially incomplete and misleading disclosures in the Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. The Complaint contains requests for relief that include, among other things, that the Court enjoin the proposed transaction, rescind the transaction if it is consummated or award rescissory damages, order the Talmer directors to file a revised Registration Statement, declare that the Defendants violated Sections 14(a) and/or Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as well as Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder, award the plaintiff all costs associated with bringing the action (including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees), and grant such further relief as the court deems just and proper. Talmer, Chemical and the individual defendants all believe that the claims asserted against each of them in this lawsuit are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against this lawsuit.

On April 25, 2016, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by another purported shareholder of Talmer, styled Kevin Nicholl v. Chemical Financial Corporation et. al., Docket No. 1:16-cv-11482. The plaintiff names Talmer, Chemical, and several individuals as defendants. This lawsuit was styled as a class action and derivative action, and alleged breach of fiduciary duties as well as violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Nicholl lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff as to all defendants, with prejudice, on June 20, 2016.

On June 16, 2016, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by a purported Talmer shareholder, styled City of Livonia Employees’ Retirement System v. Chemical Financial Corporation, et. al., Docket No. 2:16-cv-12229. The plaintiff purports to bring the action “individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,” and requests certification as a class action. This lawsuit alleges violations of Section 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Complaint alleges, among other things, that the Defendants issued materially incomplete and misleading disclosures in the Form S-4 Registration Statement relating to the proposed merger. The Complaint contains requests for relief that include, among other things, that the Court enjoin the proposed transaction unless and until additional information is provided to Talmer’s shareholders, declare that the Defendants violated the securities laws in connection with the proposed merger, award compensatory damages, interest, attorneys’ and experts’ fees, and that the Court grant such other relief as it deems just and proper. Talmer, Chemical, and the individual defendants all believe that the claims asserted against each of them in this lawsuit are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against this lawsuit.

In addition, the Corporation and Chemical Bank are subject to certain legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Corporation.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts appearing in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation. The reclassification had no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity as previously reported.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). ASU 2015-02 is applicable to reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, ASU 2015-02 (i) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs, (ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, (iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships and (iv) provides a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Customer's Accounting for Cloud Computing Fees

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05"). ASU 2015-05 provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. ASU 2015-05 does not change the accounting for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. The purpose of ASU 2015-05 is to clarify which fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement should be capitalized and which fees should be expensed as incurred. The adoption of ASU 2015-05 prospectively effective January 1, 2016 did not have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Pending Accounting Pronouncements

Recognition and Measurement

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01"). ASU 2016-01 amends current guidance by: (i) requiring equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) allowing an entity to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at either fair value or cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices, with changes in measurement recognized in net income, (iii) simplifying the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iv) eliminating the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (v) requiring use the of exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (vi) requiring recognition of changes in the fair value related to instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income if the fair value option for financial liabilities is elected, (vii) requiring separate presentation in the financial statements of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category, and (8) clarifying that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. ASU 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption only for items (iv) and (vi) above. Early adoption of the other items mentioned above is not permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). Under ASU 2016-02, the Corporation will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): (i) a right to use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term and (ii) a lease liability, which is a liability that represents lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Stock Compensation

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 allows for simplification of several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under ASU 2016-09, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. ASU 2016-09 also requires recognition of excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. ASU 2016-09 further permits the withholding of an amount up to employees' maximum individual tax rate in the relevant jurisdiction without resulting in a liability classification. ASU 2016-09 also requires any excess tax benefits be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes to be classified as a financing activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-09 on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Credit Losses

In June, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income.

ASU 2016-13 requires an entity measure expected credit losses for financial assets over the estimated lifetime of expected credit loss and record an allowance that, when deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, presents the net amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The standard includes the following core concepts in determining the expected credit loss estimate: (a) be based on an asset’s amortized cost (including premiums or discounts, net deferred fees and costs, foreign exchange and fair value hedge accounting adjustments), (b) reflect losses expected over the remaining contractual life of an asset (considering the effect of voluntary prepayments), (c) consider available relevant information about the estimated collectability of cash flows (including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts), and (d) reflect the risk of loss, even when that risk is remote.

ASU 2016-13 also amends the recording of purchased credit-deteriorated assets. Under the new guidance, an allowance will be recognized at acquisition through a gross-up approach whereby an entity will record as the initial amortized cost the sum of (a) the purchase price and (b) an estimate of credit losses as of the date of acquisition. In addition, the guidance also requires immediate recognition in earnings any subsequent changes, both favorable and unfavorable, in expected cash flows by adjusting this allowance.

ASU 2016-13 amends the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and requires entities to determine whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on an available-for-sale debt security is a credit loss. Management may not use the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position as a factor in concluding whether a credit loss exists, as is currently permitted. In addition, an entity will recognize an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities as a contra-account to the amortized cost basis rather than as a direct reduction of the amortized cost basis of the investment, as is currently required. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time under current practice.

New disclosures required by ASU 2016-13 include: (a) for financial assets measured at amortized cost, an entity will be required to disclose information about how it developed its allowance, including changes in the factors that influenced management’s estimate of expected credit losses and the reasons for those changes, (b) for financial receivables and net investments in leases measured at amortized cost, an entity will be required to further disaggregate the information it currently discloses about the credit quality of these assets by year or the asset’s origination or vintage for as many as five annual periods, and (c) for available-for-sale debt securities, an entity will be required to provide a roll-forward of the allowance for credit losses and an aging analysis for securities that are past due.

Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings will be recorded as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Corporation is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2016-13 to determine the potential impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.