Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

First Hawaiian, Inc. (“FHI” or the “Parent”), a bank holding company, owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of First Hawaiian Bank (“FHB” or the “Bank”). FHI is a majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of BNP Paribas (“BNPP”), a financial institution based in France.

FHB is a state-chartered bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. FHB, the oldest financial institution in Hawaii, was established as Bishop & Company in 1858. As of December 31, 2017, FHB was the largest bank in Hawaii in terms of total assets, loans and leases and deposits. FHB has 62 branches located throughout the State of Hawaii, Guam and Saipan, and offers a comprehensive suite of banking services to consumer and commercial customers including loans, deposit products, wealth management, insurance, trust, retirement planning, credit card and merchant processing services.

The accounting and reporting principles of First Hawaiian, Inc. and Subsidiary (the “Company”) conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing practices within the financial services industry. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reorganization Transactions

In connection with FHI’s initial public offering (“IPO”) in August 2016, in which BNPP sold approximately 17% of its interest in FHI, BNPP announced its intent to sell a controlling interest in FHI, including its wholly-owned subsidiary FHB, over time, subject to market conditions and other considerations. On April 1, 2016, a series of reorganization transactions (the “Reorganization Transactions”) were undertaken to facilitate the IPO. As part of the Reorganization Transactions, FHI, which was then known as BancWest Corporation (“BancWest”), formed a new bank holding company, BancWest Holding Inc. (“BWHI”), a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of BancWest, and contributed 100% of its interest in Bank of the West (“BOW”), as well as other assets and liabilities not related to FHB, to BWHI. Following the contribution of BOW to BWHI, BancWest distributed its interest in BWHI to BNPP. As part of these transactions, BancWest amended its certificate of incorporation to change its name to “First Hawaiian, Inc.”, with First Hawaiian Bank remaining as the only direct wholly-owned subsidiary of FHI.

On July 1, 2016, in order to comply with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System’s requirement (under Regulation YY) applicable to BNPP that a foreign banking organization with $50 billion or more in U.S. non-branch assets as of June 30, 2015 establish a U.S. intermediate holding company and hold its interest in the substantial majority of its U.S. subsidiaries through the intermediate holding company by July 1, 2016, FHI became an indirect subsidiary of BNP Paribas USA, Inc. (“BNP Paribas USA”), BNPP’s U.S. intermediate holding company. As part of that reorganization, FHI became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of BancWest Corporation (“BWC”), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas USA.

On August 4, 2016, FHI’s common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “FHB”. On August 9, 2016, the IPO of 24,250,000 shares of FHI common stock, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 3,163,043 shares, at $23.00 per share was completed. On February 17, 2017, a secondary offering of 28,750,000 shares of FHI common stock, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 3,750,000 shares, at $32.00 per share was completed. FHI did not receive any of the proceeds from the sales of shares by BNPP. Following the secondary offering and exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares in February 2017, BNPP beneficially owned approximately 62% of FHI’s common stock. BNPP continued to beneficially own approximately 62% of FHI's common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events, actual results may differ from these estimates.

Variable Interest Entities

A variable interest entity (“VIE”) is a legal entity that lacks the ability to financially support its activities or whose equity investors lack the ability to control its activities or absorb profits and losses proportionately with their investment in the entity. The primary beneficiary consolidates the variable interest entity (“VIE”). The primary beneficiary is defined as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE.

The Company has a limited partnership interest or is a member in a limited liability company (“LLC”) in several low-income housing partnerships. These partnerships or LLCs provide funds for the construction and operation of apartment complexes that provide affordable housing to that segment of the population with lower family income. If these developments successfully attract a specified percentage of residents falling in that lower income range, state and/or federal income tax credits are made available to the partners or members. The tax credits are generally recognized over 10 years. In order to continue receiving the tax credits each year over the life of the partnership or LLC, the low-income residency targets must be maintained.

Unfunded commitments to fund these low-income housing partnerships were $35.1 million as of December 31, 2017. These unfunded commitments are unconditional and legally binding and are recorded in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

These low-income housing partnership and LLC entities meet the definition of a VIE; however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the entities, as the general partner or managing member has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entities. While the partnership or LLC agreements allow the limited partners and members, through a majority vote, to remove the general partner or managing member, this right is not deemed to be substantive as the general partner or managing member can only be removed for cause.

Cash and Due from Banks and Interest bearing Deposits in Other Banks

Cash and Due from Banks

Cash and due from banks include amounts due from other financial institutions as well as in‑transit clearings. Because amounts due from other financial institutions often exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) deposit insurance limit, the Company evaluates the credit risk of these institutions through periodic review of their financial condition and regulatory capital position. Under the terms of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act, the Company is required to maintain reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRB”) based on the amount of deposits held. The average amount of cash reserves required was $52.5 million, $48.9 million and $38.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other banks. All amounts are readily convertible to cash and have maturities of less than 90 days.

Interest‑bearing Deposits in Other Banks

Interest‑bearing deposits in other banks include funds held in other financial institutions that are either fixed or variable rate instruments, including certificates of deposits. Interest income is recorded when earned and presented within other interest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2017, investment securities were comprised of debt, mortgage‑backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and government‑sponsored enterprises and general obligation bonds issued by municipalities in the State of Hawaii. The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts using the interest method over the expected lives of the individual securities. All investment securities transactions are recorded on a trade‑date basis. All of the Company’s securities were categorized as available-for-sale and consisted of debt securities which the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future but may be sold before maturity in response to changes in the Company’s interest rate risk profile, funding needs, demand for collateralized deposits by public entities or other reasons. Available‑for‑sale investment securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains and losses realized on sales of investment securities are determined using the specific identification method. Investment securities are evaluated for other‑than‑temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic and market conditions warrant such an evaluation.

Loans Held for Sale

The Company originates certain loans for individual sale or for sale as a pool of loans to government-sponsored enterprises. Loans held for sale are carried, on an aggregate basis, at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of loans held for sale is primarily determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. Net gains and losses on loan sales are recorded as a component of other noninterest income. Direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan and are recognized in other noninterest income upon sale of the loan.

Loans and Leases

Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income including unamortized and unaccreted deferred loan fees and costs, and cumulative net charge-offs. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Loan origination fees, certain direct costs and unearned discounts and premiums, if any, are deferred and are generally accreted or amortized into interest income as yield adjustments using the interest method over the contractual life of the loan. Other credit-related fees are recognized as fee income, a component of noninterest income, when earned.

Direct financing leases are carried at the aggregate of lease payments receivable plus the estimated residual value of leased property, less unearned income. Leveraged leases, which are a form of direct financing leases, are carried net of non-recourse debt. Unearned income on direct financing and leveraged leases is amortized over the lease terms by methods that approximate the interest method. Residual values on leased assets are periodically reviewed for impairment.

Non-Performing Loans and Leases

The Company generally places a loan or lease on nonaccrual status when management believes that collection of principal or interest has become doubtful or when a loan or lease becomes 90 days past due as to principal or interest, unless it is well secured and in the process of collection. A charge-off is recorded when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and when it is possible to determine a reasonable estimate of the loss. When the Company places a loan or lease on nonaccrual status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against interest income in the current period. When the Company receives an interest payment on a nonaccrual loan or lease, the payment is applied as a reduction of the principal balance. Nonaccrual loans and leases are generally returned to accrual status when they become current as to principal and interest and have demonstrated a sustained period of payment performance or become both well secured and in the process of collection.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A restructuring of debt constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. The Company offers various types of concessions when modifying a loan, including term extensions, temporary deferral of principal and temporary interest rate reductions. However, forgiveness of principal is rarely granted. Generally, a non-accrual loan that has been modified in a TDR remains on non-accrual status for at least six months to demonstrate that the borrower is able to meet the terms of the modified loan. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. However, if the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment terms is uncertain, the loan remains on non-accrual status.

Impaired Loans

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled interest payments. This evaluation is generally based on delinquency information, an assessment of the borrower’s financial condition and the adequacy of collateral, if any. The Company’s impaired loans are primarily comprised of commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, residential real estate and any loans modified in a TDR, whether on accrual or nonaccrual status.

The Company individually measures impairment on commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, for residential real estate loans and collateral‑dependent loans, based on the fair value of the collateral less disposition costs. On a case‑by‑case basis, the Company may measure impairment based upon a loan’s observable market price. Impaired loans without a related allowance for loan and lease losses are generally collateralized by assets with fair values in excess of the recorded investment in the loans.

Reserve for Credit Losses, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Commitments, and Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

Reserve for Credit Losses

The Company’s reserve for credit losses is comprised of two components, the allowance for loan and lease losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The Company maintains the allowance for loan and lease losses (the “Allowance”) at a level which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable credit losses that have been incurred in the Company’s loan and lease portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The Company’s methodology for determining an adequate and appropriate level of the Allowance takes into account many factors, including:

Trends in the volume and severity of delinquent loans and leases, nonaccrual loans and leases, troubled debt restructurings and other loan and lease modifications;

Trends in the quality of risk management and loan administration practices including findings of internal and external reviews of loans and the effectiveness of collection practices;

Changes in the quality of the Company’s risk identification process and loan review system;

Changes in lending policies and procedures including underwriting standards and collection, charge‑off and recovery practices;

Changes in the nature and volume of the loan and lease portfolio;

Changes in concentrations within the loan and lease portfolio;

Changes in national and local economic business conditions, including the condition of various market segments.

While the Company has a formal methodology to determine an adequate and appropriate level of the Allowance, estimates of inherent loan and lease losses involve judgment and assumptions as to various factors, including current economic conditions. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the Allowance is based on quarterly evaluations of the above factors. Accordingly, the provision for credit losses will vary from period to period based on management’s ongoing assessment of the adequacy of the Allowance.

The Allowance consists of two components, the allocated and the unallocated allowance. The allocated portion of the Allowance includes reserves that are allocated based on impairment analyses of specific loans or pools of loans. A discussion of evaluating specific loans for impairment is noted in the “Impaired Loans” section above. The Company collectively evaluates large groups or pools of smaller-balance homogeneous loans and leases such as consumer loans, residential real estate loans and small business loans. The risk assessment process includes the use of estimates to determine the inherent loss in these portfolios. The Company considers a variety of factors including, but not limited to historical loss experience, estimated defaults or foreclosures based on portfolio trends and delinquencies, and current and projected economic conditions.

The unallocated component of the Allowance recognizes the imprecision in the loan and lease loss estimation process. While the Company’s allocated reserve methodology strives to reflect all risk factors, there may still be certain unidentified risk elements. The purpose of the unallocated reserve is to capture these factors. The relationship of the unallocated component to the total Allowance may fluctuate from period to period. Management evaluates the adequacy of the total Allowance based on the combined total of the allocated and unallocated components of the Allowance.

The Allowance is increased by provisions for loan and lease losses and reduced by charge‑offs, net of recoveries. Consumer loans and leases are generally charged off upon reaching a predetermined delinquency status that ranges from 120 to 180 days and varies by product type. Other loans and leases may be charged off to the extent they are classified as loss. Recoveries of amounts that have previously been charged off are credited to the Allowance and are generally recorded only to the extent that cash is received.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The reserve for unfunded commitments (the “Unfunded Reserve”) is a component of other liabilities and represents the estimate for probable credit losses inherent in unfunded commitments to extend credit. Unfunded commitments to extend credit include loan commitments, and standby and commercial letters of credit. The process used to determine the Unfunded Reserve is consistent with the process for determining the Allowance as adjusted for estimated funding probabilities or loan and lease equivalency factors. The level of the Unfunded Reserve is adjusted by recording an expense or recovery in other noninterest expense.

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

The provision for loan and lease losses (the “Provision”) represents the amount charged against current period earnings to achieve an Allowance that in management’s judgment is adequate to absorb probable credit losses that have been incurred in the Company’s loan and lease portfolio as of the consolidated balance sheet date. Accordingly, the Provision will vary from period to period based on management’s ongoing assessment of the overall adequacy of the Allowance.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight‑line basis over the estimated useful lives of 10 to 39 years for premises, 4 to 10 years for equipment and the shorter of the lease term or remaining useful life for leasehold improvements.

On a periodic basis, long‑lived assets are reviewed for impairment. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of a long‑lived asset exceeds its fair value and is not recoverable. An impairment analysis is performed whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable.

Operating lease rental income for leased assets, primarily premises, is recognized on a straight‑line basis as an offset to rental expense.

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Personal Property

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) and repossessed personal property are comprised primarily of properties that the Company acquires through foreclosure proceedings. The Company values these properties at fair value less estimated costs to sell the property upon acquisition, which establishes the new carrying value. The Company charges losses arising upon the acquisition of the property against the Allowance. If the fair value of the property at the time of acquisition exceeds the carrying amount of the loan, the excess is recorded either as a recovery to the Allowance if a charge-off had previously been recorded, or as a gain on initial transfer in other noninterest income. After acquisition, the Company carries such properties at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs. Any writedowns or losses from the subsequent disposition of such properties are included in other noninterest expense. Gains recognized on the sale of such properties are included in other noninterest income.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the cost of acquired businesses in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company performs impairment testing of goodwill, an infinite‑lived intangible asset, as required under GAAP on an annual basis or when circumstances change that indicate that a potential impairment may have occurred. The Company has assigned goodwill to its operating segments for impairment testing purposes. The goodwill impairment guidance provides the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing further impairment tests is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, or does not elect this option, it is required to perform impairment testing. Step 1 of the test identifies potential impairments at the reporting unit level, which for the Company is the same as our operating segments, by comparing the estimated fair value of each identified reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, there is no impairment of goodwill. However, if the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, Step 2 is performed to determine the amount of the potential impairment. Step 2 compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined as if the reporting unit were being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment are prohibited.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as assets when residential real estate loans are sold and the rights to service those loans are retained. Mortgage servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value by using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income, incorporating assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value.

The Company’s mortgage servicing rights are accounted for under the amortization method and periodically assessed for impairment. The Company amortizes the mortgage servicing rights over the period of estimated net servicing income, taking into account prepayment assumptions. Any such indicated impairment is recognized in earnings during the period in which the impairment occurs. Mortgage servicing income, net of the amortization of mortgage servicing rights, is recorded as a component of other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income and mortgage servicing rights are recorded as a component of other intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Non Marketable Equity Securities

Non‑Marketable Equity Securities

The Company is required to own Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Des Moines stock as a condition of membership. These securities are accounted for under the cost method, which equals par value, and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These securities do not have a readily determinable fair value as ownership is restricted and there is no market for these securities. The Company reviews these securities periodically for impairment. Management considers these securities to be long-term investments. Accordingly, when evaluating these securities for impairment, management considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. No impairment was recognized on non‑marketable equity securities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

The Company enters into agreements under which it sells securities subject to an obligation to repurchase the same or similar securities. Under these arrangements, the Company may transfer legal control over the assets but still maintain effective control through an agreement that both entitles and obligates the Company to repurchase the assets. As a result, securities sold under agreements to repurchase are accounted for as collateralized financing arrangements (i.e., secured borrowings) and not as a sale and subsequent repurchase of securities. The obligation to repurchase the securities is reflected as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, while the securities underlying the securities sold under agreements to repurchase remain in the respective asset accounts.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company has a qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan, a directors’ retirement plan, a non-qualified pension plan for eligible directors and a postretirement benefit plan providing life insurance and healthcare benefits that is offered to directors and employees, as applicable. The qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, the unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan and the directors’ retirement plan are all frozen plans. To calculate annual pension costs, management uses the following key variables: (1) size of the employee population, length of service and estimated compensation increases; (2) actuarial assumptions and estimates; (3) expected long-term rate of return on plan assets; and (4) discount rate. For all pension and postretirement benefit plan calculations, the Company uses a December 31st measurement date.

The expected long-term rate of return was based on a calculated rate of return from average rates of return on various asset classes over a 20 year historical time horizon. Using long-term historical data allows the Company to capture multiple economic environments, which management believes is relevant when using historical returns. Net actuarial gains or losses that exceed a 5% corridor of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets as of the beginning of the year are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost on a straight-line basis over five years.

In estimating the projected benefit obligation, an independent actuary bases assumptions on factors such as mortality rate, turnover rate, retirement rate, disability rate and other assumptions related to the population of individuals in the pension plan. If significant actuarial gains or losses occur, the actuary reviews the demographic and economic assumptions with management, at which time the Company considers revising these assumptions based on actual results.

The Company recognizes an asset in its consolidated balance sheets for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status. The Company also measures the plans’ assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the year and recognizes those changes in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Income Taxes

Income taxes have been recorded using the separate return method as if the Company were a separate taxpayer for all periods presented. Current income tax expense is recognized for the amount of income taxes expected to be payable or refundable for the current period, and deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the corresponding tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are calculated by applying enacted statutory tax rates and tax laws to future years in which temporary differences are expected to reverse. The impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the tax rate change is enacted. A deferred tax valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion on the tax rate changes enacted in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) of 2017.

Interest and penalties, if any, expected to be assessed or refunded by taxing authorities relating to an underpayment or overpayment of income taxes are accrued and recorded as part of income tax expense.

Excise tax credits relating to premises and equipment are accounted for using the flow‑through method, and the benefit is recognized in the year the asset is placed in service. General business and excise tax credits generated from the leasing portfolio, except for credits that are passed on to lessees, are recognized over the term of the lease for book purposes, but in the year placed in service for tax purposes.

The Company maintains reserves for unrecognized tax benefits that arise in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2017, these positions were evaluated based on an assessment of probabilities as to the likelihood of whether a liability had been incurred. Such assessments are reviewed as events occur and adjustments to the reserves are made as appropriate. In evaluating a tax position for recognition, the Company evaluates whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If the tax position meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, the tax position is measured and recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the largest amount of tax benefit that, in management’s judgment, is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivatives are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. On the date the Company enters into a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative instrument as: (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”); (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”); or (3) held for trading, customer accommodation or not qualifying for hedge accounting (“free‑standing derivative instrument”). For a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment attributable to interest rate risk are recorded in current period earnings. For a cash flow hedge, to the extent that the hedge is considered highly effective, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to net income in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts net income and in the same financial statement category as the hedged item. To the extent the derivative instruments are not effective, any changes in the fair value of the derivatives are immediately recognized in noninterest income. For free‑standing derivative instruments, changes in fair values are reported in current period earnings. The Company formally documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivative instruments that are designated as hedges to specific assets or liabilities, unrecognized firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the inception of a hedge and on a quarterly basis, whether the derivative instruments used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values of, or cash flows related to, hedged items.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements apply whenever GAAP requires or permits assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value either on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for an asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based on the assumptions that management believes market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Fair value measurement and disclosure guidance established a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation methodologies. Management maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value measurements.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company grants stock-based awards, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units. These awards are issued at no cost to the recipient. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards was based on the closing price of FHI’s common stock on the date of grant. Such awards were recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Recipients of performance stock units are entitled to receive shares of FHI common stock at no cost, subject to the Company’s achievement of specified performance criteria. The grant date fair value of the performance stock units was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Due to the limited trading history of FHI’s common stock, a methodology was developed whereby FHI’s expected stock volatility was based on a blending of the average historical volatility of FHI’s common stock and the average historical volatility of a group of peer banks. The risk-free interest rate that was used in the valuation was that of a zero coupon U.S. Treasury note that was commensurate with the performance period.

As compensation cost is recognized, a deferred tax asset is established which represents an estimate of the future tax deduction from the release of restrictions or the achievement of performance targets. At the time that restrictions on the stock-based awards are released, the Company may be required to recognize an adjustment to income tax expense, depending on the market price of the Company’s common stock at that time.

Treasury Stock

Shares of the Parent’s common stock that are repurchased or that are used to satisfy payroll tax withholdings related to stock-based compensation are recorded in treasury stock at cost. On the date of subsequent reissuance, the treasury stock account will be reduced by the cost of such stock on a first-in, first-out basis.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, assuming conversion of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $6.2 million, $6.1 million and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Correction of an Immaterial Error to the Financial Statements

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s 2016 consolidated financial statements, the Company’s management determined that certain expenses related to card rewards program were incorrectly offset against credit and debit card fee income and credit card interchange assessment fees were incorrectly classified in card rewards program expense versus credit and debit card fee income in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, income from service charges on deposit accounts were each overstated by $0.8 million, credit and debit card fee income was understated by $9.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively, occupancy expense was understated by $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and card rewards program expense was understated by $6.9 million and $6.3 million, respectively. As a result, certain noninterest income and noninterest expense amounts have been restated from the amounts previously reported to correct the classification errors. There was no change to net income or earnings per share as previously reported as a result of these errors. Management has evaluated the materiality of these errors on its prior period financial statements from a quantitative and qualitative perspective, and has concluded that these errors were not material to any prior period.

Accounting Standard Adopted in 2017 and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standard Adopted in 2017

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This guidance requires entities to record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as an income tax benefit or expense in the statement of income; changes the classification of excess tax benefits to an operating activity in the statement of cash flows; allows entities to elect whether to account for forfeitures of share-based payments by recognizing forfeitures of awards as they occur or by estimating the number of awards expected to be forfeited and adjusting the estimate when it is no longer probable that the employee will fulfill the service condition, as was previously required; and permits entities to withhold up to the maximum individual statutory tax rate without classifying the awards as a liability. Upon adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, the Company made an accounting policy election to recognize forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following ASUs have been issued by the FASB and are applicable to the Company in future periods.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This guidance amends most of the currently existing revenue recognition principles and requires entities to recognize revenues when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. The Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition approach, in which the guidance would only be applied to existing contracts in effect at January 1, 2018 and new contracts entered into after this date. Approximately 72% of the Company’s revenue is comprised of net interest income on loans, leases, investment securities and deposits, and is explicitly out of scope of the new revenue recognition guidance. The Company identified the primary contracts in scope of this new guidance as those relating to credit and debit card fees, service charges and fees on deposit accounts, trust and investment services fees and broker dealer fees. Based on management’s review of material contracts in scope, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This guidance provides that lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): 1) a lease liability, which is the present value of a lessee's obligation to make lease payments, and 2) a right-of-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. Lessor accounting under the new guidance remains largely unchanged as it is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company has lease agreements, such as leases for branch locations, that are currently considered operating leases, and therefore, are not recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company preliminarily expects that the new guidance will require these lease agreements to be recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as a right-of-use asset with a corresponding lease liability. However, the Company continues to evaluate the extent of the potential impact this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update eliminates the probable recognition threshold for credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. For loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, this update requires a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) approach to determine the allowance for credit losses. CECL requires loss estimates for the remaining estimated life of the financial asset using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In addition, this guidance modifies the other-than-temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities to require an allowance for credit impairment instead of a direct write-down, which allows for a reversal of credit losses in future periods. This update requires entities to record a cumulative effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with earlier adoption permitted. The new guidance will require significant operational changes, particularly in data collection and analysis. The Company has formed a working group comprised of teams from different disciplines, including credit and finance, to evaluate the requirements of the new standard and the impact it will have on the Company’s current processes. Management’s evaluation includes a review of existing credit models to identify areas where existing credit models used to comply with other regulatory requirements may be leveraged and areas where new impairment models may be required. The Company continues to evaluate the impact this guidance, including the method of implementation, will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the current two-step goodwill impairment test. This guidance provides that a goodwill impairment test be conducted by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. Entities are to recognize an impairment charge for goodwill by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Entities will continue to have the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This guidance requires entities to report the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by pertinent employees during the reporting period. The other components of net periodic benefit costs are to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. Under current GAAP, entities typically amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. This guidance shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-08 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting. This guidance applies to entities that change the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This update clarifies when an entity should account for a change as a modification. Modification accounting will be required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This guidance changes the recognition and presentation requirements of hedge accounting, including eliminating the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and presenting all items that affect earnings in the same income statement line as the hedged item. This guidance also provides new alternatives for applying hedge accounting to additional hedging strategies, measuring the hedged item in fair value hedges of interest rate risk, reducing the complexity of applying hedge accounting by easing the requirements for effectiveness testing, hedge documentation and application of the critical terms match method, and reducing the risk of material error corrections if a company applies the shortcut method inappropriately. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-12 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This guidance provided entities with an option to reclassify tax effects that were stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income, pursuant to the newly enacted Tax Act, to retained earnings. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% federal corporate income tax rate. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance may be early adopted in any interim or annual period for which financial statements have not yet been issued and applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act is recognized. The Company early adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2018-02 on January 1, 2018. The impact of the adoption was to reclassify a credit balance of $20.1 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s regulatory capital ratios and consolidated financial statements.