Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

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”). 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, 2020, FHB was the largest bank in Hawaii in terms of total assets, loans and leases, deposits, and net income. FHB has 54 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. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  

Transition to an Independent Public Company

Transition to an Independent Public Company

Prior to our initial public offering in August 2016 (“IPO”), we were an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas (“BNPP”), a global financial institution based in France.  

On April 1, 2016, BNPP effected a series of transactions (“Reorganization Transactions”) pursuant to which FHI, which was then known as BancWest Corporation (“BancWest”), contributed Bank of the West (“BOW”), its subsidiary at the time, to BancWest Holding Inc. (“BWHI”), a newly formed bank holding company and a wholly owned subsidiary of BancWest. Following the contribution of BOW to BWHI, BancWest distributed its interest in BWHI to BNPP, and BWHI became a wholly owned subsidiary of BNPP. As part of these transactions, we amended our certificate of incorporation to change our name to First Hawaiian, Inc., with First Hawaiian Bank remaining our only direct wholly owned subsidiary.

On July 1, 2016, we became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas USA, Inc. (“BNP Paribas USA”), BNPP’s U.S. intermediate holding company. As part of that reorganization, we became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of BancWest Corporation (“BWC”), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas USA.

In August 2016, FHI completed its IPO and shares of FHI’s common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol “FHB” on August 4, 2016.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019, BNPP, acting through BWC, sold all of the shares of FHI common stock that it beneficially owned in underwritten public offerings and share repurchases by the Company. FHI did not receive any of the proceeds from the sales of shares of FHI common stock in any such offering or the IPO. As a result of the completion of the February 1, 2019 public offering, BNPP (through BWC, the selling stockholder) fully exited its ownership interest in FHI common stock.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

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

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 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 5 or 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.

The Company generally accounts for its interests in these low-income housing partnerships using the proportional amortization method. Unfunded commitments to fund these investments were $89.0 million and $102.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These unfunded commitments are unconditional and legally binding and are recorded in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

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

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 $18.4 million and $67.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, 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

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

Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, investment securities were primarily comprised of debt, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and government-sponsored enterprises. The Company amortizes premiums and accretes discounts using the interest method over the expected lives of the individual securities. Premiums on callable debt securities are amortized to their earliest call date. All investment securities transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. All of the Company’s investment securities were categorized as available-for-sale as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. 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.  

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates at the individual security level whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses, if any, are recorded as a provision for (or reversal of) credit losses. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale investment security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. As noted above, as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities were comprised entirely of debt, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and government-sponsored enterprises. Management has concluded that the long history with no credit losses from these issuers indicates an expectation that nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero. The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are explicitly or implicitly fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. The U.S. government can print its own currency and its currency is routinely held by central banks and other major financial institutions. The dollar is used in international commerce, and commonly is viewed as a reserve currency, all of which qualitatively indicates that historical credit loss information should be minimally affected by current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Thus, the Company has not recorded an allowance for credit losses for its available-for-sale debt securities as of December 31, 2020.

Accrued interest receivable related to available-for-sale investment securities was $10.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and is recorded separately from the amortized cost basis of investment securities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Loans Held for Sale

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 and Leases

Loans are reported at amortized cost, which includes the principal amount outstanding net of 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. Unearned income on direct financing leases is amortized over the lease term by methods that approximate the interest method. Residual values on leased assets are periodically reviewed for impairment.

Accrued interest receivable related to loans and leases was $59.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and is recorded separately from the amortized cost basis of loans and leases on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Nonaccrual Loans and Leases

Nonaccrual 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 full or partial charge-off is recorded in the period in which the loan or lease is deemed uncollectible. When the Company places a loan or lease on nonaccrual status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is concurrently reversed against interest income. 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 future payments are reasonably assured.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

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.

In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law. The CARES Act creates a forbearance program for federally backed mortgage loans, protects borrowers from negative credit reporting due to loan accommodations related to the National Emergency, and provides financial institutions the option to temporarily suspend certain requirements under GAAP related to TDRs for a limited period of time to account for the effects of COVID-19. Financial institutions accounting for eligible loans under the CARES Act are not required to report such loans as TDRs in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Interagency Statements were issued on March 22, 2020 and April 7, 2020 to encourage financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers and to describe the agencies’ interpretation of how current accounting rules under GAAP apply to certain COVID-19 related modifications. The agencies confirmed with the FASB that short-term modifications (e.g., six months or less) for payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or delays in payment that are insignificant and made on a good faith basis in response to borrowers impacted by COVID-19 who were current prior to any relief are not TDRs under GAAP. The agencies also confirmed that these short-term modifications generally should not be reported as being on nonaccrual status and generally should not be considered past due during the period of the deferral. The Company has adopted the provisions of both the CARES Act and Interagency Statements. The Company is first applying the CARES Act guidance in determining if certain loan modifications are not required to be reported as TDRs. If the loan modification does not qualify under the CARES Act, then the Interagency Statement guidance is applied. On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act – 2021 (the “CAA”) was signed into law, which extends the temporary relief from TDR reporting through the earlier of (1) January 1, 2022, or (2) 60 days after the date on which the national emergency concerning COVID-19 terminates. The disclosures presented within “Note 5. Allowance for Credit Losses” reflects the application of this guidance.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses for loans and leases (the “ACL”) is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans and leases to present the net amount expected to be collected from loans and leases. Loans and leases are charged-off against the ACL when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan or lease balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. The Company’s ACL and the reserve for unfunded commitments under the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) approach utilizes both quantitative and qualitative components. The Company’s methodology utilizes a quantitative model based on a single forward-looking macroeconomic forecast. The quantitative estimation is overlaid with qualitative adjustments to account for current conditions and forward-looking events not captured in the quantitative model. Qualitative adjustments that are considered include adjustments for regulatory determinants, model limitations, model maturity, and other current or forecasted events that are not captured in the Company’s historical loss experience.

The Company generally evaluates loans and leases on a collective or pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. However, loans and leases that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Such loans and leases evaluated individually are excluded from the collective evaluation. Individually assessed loans are measured for estimated credit loss (“ECL”) based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs, if the loan is collateral-dependent.

Management reviews relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency levels, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors.

The Company utilizes a Probability of Default (“PD”)/Loss Given Default (“LGD”) framework to estimate the ACL and the reserve for unfunded commitments. The PD represents the percentage expectation to default, measured by assessing loans and leases that migrate to default status (i.e., nonaccrual status, troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), 90 days or more past due, partial or full charge-offs or bankruptcy). LGD is defined as the percentage of the exposure at default (“EAD”) lost at the time of default, net of any recoveries, and will be unique to each of the collateral types securing the Company’s loans. PD and LGD’s are based on past experience of the Company and management’s expectations of the future. The ECL on loans and leases is calculated by taking the product of the credit exposure, lifetime default probability (“LDP”) and the LGD.

The ECL model is applied to current credit exposures at the account level, using assumptions calibrated at the portfolio segment level using internal historical loan and lease level data. The Company estimates the default risk of a credit exposure over the remaining life of each account using a transition probability matrix approach which captures both the average rate of up/down-grade and default transitions, as well as withdrawal rates which capture the historical rate of exposure decline due to loan and lease amortization and prepayment. To apply the transition matrices, each credit exposure’s remaining life is split into two time segments. The first time segment is for the reasonable and supportable forecast period over which the transition matrices which are applied have been adjusted to incorporate current and forecasted conditions over that period. Management has determined that using a one year time horizon for the reasonable and supportable forecast period for all classes of loans and leases is a reasonable forecast horizon given the difficulty in predicting future economic conditions with a high degree of certainty. The second time segment is the reversion period from the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period to the maturity of the exposure, over which long-run average transition matrices are applied. Management elected to use an immediate reversion to the mean approach. Lifetime loss rates are applied against the amortized cost basis of loans and leases and unfunded commitments to estimate the ACL and the reserve for unfunded commitments, respectively.

On at least a quarterly basis, management convenes the Bank’s forecasting team which is responsible for forecasting the economic outlook over the reasonable and supportable forecast period within the context of forecasting credit losses. Management reviews local and national economic forecasts and other pertinent materials to inform the team in establishing their best estimate of the economic outlook over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. The team considers unemployment rates, gross domestic product, personal income per capita, visitor arrivals and expenditures and home prices along with other relevant information. The results from the Bank’s forecasting team dictates the direction of the economic forecast compared to current economic conditions (i.e., better or worse) and the magnitude of the forecast adjustment (e.g., mild, medium or severe). The direction of the economic forecast and magnitude are used to adjust the modifier that is applied to the long-run default rates over the reasonable and supportable forecast period.

The Company has identified three portfolio segments in estimating the ACL: commercial, residential real estate and consumer lending. The Company’s commercial portfolio segment is comprised of four distinct classes: commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans and lease financing. The key risk drivers related to this portfolio segment include risk rating, collateral type, and remaining maturity. The Company’s residential real estate portfolio segment is comprised of two distinct classes: residential real estate loans and home equity lines of credit. Specific risk characteristics related to this portfolio include the value of the underlying collateral, credit score and remaining maturity. Finally, the Company’s consumer portfolio segment is not further segmented, but consists primarily of automobile loans, credit cards and other installment loans.  Automobile loans constitute the majority of this segment and are monitored using credit scores, collateral values and remaining maturity. The remainder of the consumer portfolio is predominantly unsecured.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The reserve for unfunded commitments, which is a component of other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, is adjusted through the provision for credit losses. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life.

Provision for Credit Losses

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses (the “Provision”) represents the amount charged against current period earnings to achieve an ACL and reserve for unfunded commitments that in management’s judgment is adequate to absorb expected credit losses related to the Company’s loan and lease portfolio and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Accordingly, the Provision will vary from period to period based on management’s ongoing assessment of the overall adequacy of the ACL and reserve for unfunded commitments.

Premises and Equipment

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 7 to 39 years for premises, 3 to 20 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 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 ACL. 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 ACL 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 on a nonrecurring basis. Any write-downs 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

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 indefinite-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. The quantitative impairment test identifies potential impairments at the reporting unit level 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, an impairment exists, and 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

Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as assets when residential mortgage 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.

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, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

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 new participants. 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 31^st 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 on 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. Periodic pension expense (or income) includes service costs, interest costs based on the assumed discount rate, the expected return on plan assets based on an actuarially derived market-related value and amortization of actuarial gains and losses. Service cost is included in salaries and employee benefits expense, while all other components of net periodic pension cost are included in other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

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. 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, 2020, 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

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. 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

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

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company grants stock-based awards, including restricted stock, restricted shares, performance share units, performance shares and restricted stock units. These awards are issued at no cost to the recipient. The fair value of restricted stock, restricted shares 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 shares and performance share units are entitled to receive shares of FHI common stock at no cost, subject to the Company’s achievement of specified market or performance conditions. The grant date fair value of the performance share units subject to the Company’s achievement of specified market conditions was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. For purposes of this modeling exercise, historical volatilities of FHI common stock and members of the peer group were used. 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. The grant date fair value of the performance shares subject to the Company’s achievement of performance conditions was based on the closing price of FHI’s common stock on the date of grant.

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

Treasury Stock

Shares of the Parent’s common stock that were 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

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 and Marketing Costs

Advertising and Marketing Costs

Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and marketing costs were $5.7 million, $6.9 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Accounting Standard Adopted in 2020 and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2020

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance eliminates the probable recognition threshold for credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. For loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, this guidance requires a CECL approach to determine an ACL. CECL requires loss estimates for the remaining estimated life of the financial asset using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. CECL also applies to off-balance sheet (“OBS”) credit exposures (e.g., unfunded loan commitments), except for unconditionally cancellable commitments. In addition, this guidance modifies the other-than-temporary-impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities to require an allowance for credit losses instead of a direct write-down, which allows for a reversal of credit losses in future periods. In April 2019, the FASB also issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. As it relates to CECL, this guidance amended certain provisions contained in ASU No. 2016-13, particularly with regards to the inclusion of accrued interest in the definition of amortized cost, as well as clarifying that extension and renewal options that are not unconditionally cancelable by the entity that are included in the original or modified contract should be considered in the entity’s determination of expected credit losses. As permitted by ASU No. 2016-13, the Company elected the practical expedient to use the fair value of collateral at the reporting date when recording the net carrying amount of the asset and determining the ACL for a financial asset for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty based on the Company’s assessment as of the reporting date. Furthermore, as permitted by ASU No. 2019-04, the Company made accounting policy elections to not measure an ACL on accrued interest receivable, write-off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income and present accrued interest receivable separately from the related financial asset on the balance sheet.

The implementation of CECL required significant operational changes, particularly in data collection and analysis. The Company formed a working group comprised of teams from different disciplines, including credit, finance and information technology, to evaluate the requirements of the new standard and the impact it will have on the Company’s existing processes. The Company also engaged a software vendor and had run several CECL parallel run productions during 2019. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2016-13 and related amendments by recording a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. Note that the Company did not opt to delay the implementation of CECL requirements as permitted under the CARES Act, which allowed entities to delay implementation until the earlier of (1) December 31, 2020, or (2) the date on which the national emergency concerning COVID-19 terminates.

The following table presents the impact of adopting Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326 as of January 1, 2020:

	Prior to the		Adjustment
	Adoption of		to Adopt		After Adoption of
(dollars in thousands)	ASC Topic 326		ASC Topic 326		ASC Topic 326
Assets:
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans and Leases	$	130,530	$	770	$	131,300
Liabilities:
Reserve for Unfunded Commitments(1)		600		16,300		16,900
Pretax Cumulative Effect Adjustment of a Change in Accounting Principle				17,070
Less: Income Taxes				(4,553)
Cumulative-Effect Adjustment of a Change in Accounting Principle, Net of Tax			$	12,517

(1) The reserve for unfunded commitments is included as a component of other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

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. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2017-04 on January 1, 2020 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This guidance is a part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project to improve disclosure effectiveness. This guidance eliminates certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements: the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, an entity’s policy for the timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and an entity’s valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance also adds new disclosure requirements for public entities: changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of instruments held at the end of the reporting period, and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements, including how the weighted average is calculated. Furthermore, this guidance modifies certain requirements which will involve disclosing: transfers into and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, purchases and issuances of Level 3 assets and liabilities, and information about the measurement uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements as of the reporting date. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2018-13 on January 1, 2020 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See “Note 22. Fair Value” for required disclosures related to this new guidance.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This guidance is a part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project to improve disclosure effectiveness. This guidance makes minor changes to the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans. The new guidance removes certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and adds certain new disclosure requirements the FASB has identified as relevant. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2018-14 on January 1, 2020 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See “Note 15. Benefit Plans” for required disclosures related to this new guidance.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The relief provided by this guidance is elective and applies to all entities, subject to meeting certain criteria, that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The guidance provides that changes in contract terms that are made to effect the reference rate reform transition are considered related to the replacement of a reference rate if they are not the result of a business decision that is separate from or in addition to changes to the terms of a contract to effect that transition. If certain criteria are met, entities can elect to not apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by reference rate reform. For example, an entity that makes this election would not be required to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. The optional amendments in ASU No. 2020-04 are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. As permitted by ASU No. 2020-04, for all contract modifications that meet the stated criteria, as of October 1, 2020, the Company has elected the optional expedients to not apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by reference rate reform.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Scope. The amendments in this guidance refine the scope of Topic 848 and clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting also apply to derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that is modified as a result of reference rate reform (commonly referred to as the “discounting transition”). ASU No. 2021-01 expands the scope of Topic 848 to also include certain derivative instruments that do not reference LIBOR or a reference rate that is expected to be discontinued, but that are being modified as a result of the discounting transition. If certain criteria are met, similar to the relief described in ASU No. 2020-04, entities can elect to not apply certain contract modification accounting requirements to derivative instruments

that are affected by the discounting transition. For example, an entity that makes this election would not be required to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. The optional expedients in ASU No. 2021-01 are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. As permitted by ASU No. 2021-01, for all contract modifications to derivative instruments that meet the stated criteria, as of October 1, 2020, the Company has elected the optional expedients to not apply certain contract modification accounting requirements to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following ASU has been issued by the FASB and is applicable to the Company in future reporting periods.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2020-08, previous guidance shortened the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium by requiring that entities amortize the premium associated with those callable debt securities to the earliest call date. The guidance in ASU No. 2020-08 changes the amortization period so that an entity shall amortize the premium to the next call date. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2020-08 on January 1, 2021 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.