Variable Interest Entities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Note 13 – Variable Interest Entities

ASC 810 defines a VIE as a legal entity where the equity investors, as a group, lack either (1) sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities by itself, (2) the power through voting rights, or similar rights, to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (3) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, (4) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or (5) the entity is structured with non-substantive voting rights. A variable interest is a contractual ownership, or other interest, that fluctuates with changes in the fair value of the VIE’s net assets exclusive of variable interests. Under ASC 810, as amended, a primary beneficiary is required to consolidate a VIE when it has a variable interest in a VIE that provides it with a controlling financial interest. For such purposes, the determination of whether a controlling financial interest exists is based on whether a single party has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

FHN holds variable interests in a proprietary HELOC securitization trust it established as a source of liquidity for consumer lending operations. Based on its restrictive nature, the trust is considered a VIE as the holders of equity at risk do not have the power through voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trust’s economic performance. The retention of MSR and a residual interest results in FHN potentially absorbing losses or receiving benefits that are significant to the trust. FHN is considered the primary beneficiary, as it is assumed to have the power, as Master Servicer, to most significantly impact the activities of the VIE. Consolidation of the trust results in the recognition of the trust proceeds as restricted borrowings since the cash flows on the securitized loans can only be used to settle the obligations due to the holders of trust securities. The trust has entered a rapid amortization period and FHN is obligated to provide subordinated funding. During the period, cash payments from borrowers are accumulated to repay outstanding debt securities while FHN continues to make advances to borrowers when they draw on their lines of credit. FHN then transfers the newly generated receivables into the securitization trust and is reimbursed only after other parties in the securitization have received all of the cash flows to which they are entitled. If loan losses requiring draws on the related monoline insurers’ policies (which protect bondholders in the securitization) exceed a certain level, FHN may not receive reimbursement for all of the funds advanced to borrowers, as the senior bondholders and the monoline insurers typically have priority for repayment. Amounts funded from monoline insurance policies are considered restricted term borrowings in FHN’s Consolidated Condensed Statements of Condition. Except for recourse due to breaches of representations and warranties made by FHN in connection with the sale of the loans to the trust, the creditors of the trust hold no recourse to the assets of FHN.

FHN has established certain rabbi trusts related to deferred compensation plans offered to its employees. FHN contributes employee cash compensation deferrals to the trusts and directs the underlying investments made by the trusts. The assets of these trusts are available to FHN’s creditors only in the event that FHN becomes insolvent. These trusts are considered VIEs as there is no equity at risk in the trusts since FHN provided the equity interest to its employees in exchange for services rendered. FHN is considered the primary beneficiary of the rabbi trusts as it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the rabbi trusts through its ability to direct the underlying investments made by the trusts. Additionally, FHN could potentially receive benefits or absorb losses that are significant to the trusts due to its right to receive any asset values in excess of liability payoffs and its obligation to fund any liabilities to employees that are in excess of a rabbi trust’s assets.

The following table summarizes VIEs consolidated by FHN as of March 31, 2016 and 2015:

			March 31, 2016						March 31, 2015
			On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitization			Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans			On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitization			Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans
			On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitization			Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans			On-Balance Sheet Consumer Loan Securitization			Rabbi Trusts Used for Deferred Compensation Plans
(Dollars in thousands)			Carrying Value			Carrying Value			Carrying Value			Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and due from banks				$	309			N/A		$	872			N/A
Loans, net of unearned income					47,833			N/A			71,565			N/A
	Less: Allowance for loan losses				-			N/A			341			N/A
		Total net loans			47,833			N/A			71,224			N/A
Other assets					75		$	70,314			242		$	68,356
Total assets				$	48,217		$	70,314		$	72,338		$	68,356
Liabilities:
Term borrowings				$	34,914			N/A		$	60,914			N/A
Other liabilities					4		$	52,214			4		$	52,349
Total liabilities				$	34,918		$	52,214		$	60,918		$	52,349

Nonconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Low Income Housing Partnerships. First Tennessee Housing Corporation (“FTHC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FTBNA, makes equity investments as a limited partner in various partnerships that sponsor affordable housing projects utilizing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) pursuant to Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. The purpose of these investments is to achieve a satisfactory return on capital and to support FHN’s community reinvestment initiatives. The activities of the limited partnerships include the identification, development, and operation of multi-family housing that is leased to qualifying residential tenants generally within FHN’s primary geographic region. LIHTC partnerships are considered VIEs as FTHC, the holder of the equity investment at risk, does not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the performance of the entity through voting rights or similar rights. FTHC could absorb losses that are significant to the LIHTC partnerships as it has a risk of loss for its capital contributions and funding commitments to each partnership. The general partners are considered the primary beneficiaries as managerial functions give them the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance and the managing members are exposed to all losses beyond FTHC’s initial capital contributions and funding commitments.

FHN accounts for all qualifying LIHTC investments under the proportional amortization method. Under this method an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense/(benefit). LIHTC investments that do not qualify for the proportional amortization method are accounted for using the equity method. Expenses associated with these investments were not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The following table summarizes the impact to the Provision/(benefit) for income taxes on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 for LIHTC investments accounted for under the proportional amortization method.


	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)	March 31, 2016		March 31, 2015
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes:
Amortization of qualifying LIHTC investments	$	2,298		$	2,180
Low income housing tax credits		(2,523)			(2,363)
Other tax benefits related to qualifying LIHTC investments		(1,110)			(844)

Other Tax Credit Investments. First Tennessee New Markets Corporation (“FTNMC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FTBNA, makes equity investments through wholly-owned subsidiaries as a non-managing member in various limited liability companies (“LLCs”) that sponsor community development projects utilizing the New Market Tax Credit (“NMTC”) pursuant to Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code. The purpose of these investments is to achieve a satisfactory return on capital and to support FHN’s community reinvestment initiatives. The activities of the LLCs include providing investment capital for low-income communities within FHN’s primary geographic region. A portion of the funding of FTNMC’s investment in a NMTC LLC is obtained via a loan from an unrelated third-party that is typically a community development enterprise. The NMTC LLCs are considered VIEs as FTNMC, the holder of the equity investment at risk, does not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the performance of the entity through voting rights or similar rights. While FTNMC could absorb losses that are significant to the NMTC LLCs as it has a risk of loss for its initial capital contributions, the managing members are considered the primary beneficiaries as managerial functions give them the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the NMTC LLCs’ economic performance and the managing members are exposed to all losses beyond FTNMC’s initial capital contributions.

FTHC also makes equity investments as a limited partner or non-managing member in entities that receive Historic Tax Credits pursuant to Section 47 of the Internal Revenue Code. The purpose of these entities is the rehabilitation of historic buildings with the tax credits provided to incent private investment in the historic cores of cities and towns. These entities are considered VIEs as FTHC, the holder of the equity investment at risk, does not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the performance of the entity through voting rights or similar rights. FTHC could absorb losses that are significant to the entities as it has a risk of loss for its capital contributions and funding commitments to each partnership. The managing members are considered the primary beneficiaries as managerial functions give them the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance and the managing members are exposed to all losses beyond FTHC’s initial capital contributions and funding commitments.

Small Issuer Trust Preferred Holdings. FTBNA holds variable interests in trusts which have issued mandatorily redeemable preferred capital securities (“trust preferreds”) for smaller banking and insurance enterprises. FTBNA has no voting rights for the trusts’ activities. The trusts’ only assets are junior subordinated debentures of the issuing enterprises. The creditors of the trusts hold no recourse to the assets of FTBNA. These trusts meet the definition of a VIE as the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have the power through voting rights, or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trusts’ economic performance. Based on the nature of the trusts’ activities and the size of FTBNA’s holdings, FTBNA could potentially receive benefits or absorb losses that are significant to the trusts regardless of whether a majority of a trust’s securities are held by FTBNA. However, since FTBNA is solely a holder of the trusts’ securities, it has no rights which would give it the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trusts’ economic performance and thus it is not considered the primary beneficiary of the trusts. FTBNA has no contractual requirements to provide financial support to the trusts.

On-Balance Sheet Trust Preferred Securitization. In 2007, FTBNA executed a securitization of certain small issuer trust preferreds for which the underlying trust meets the definition of a VIE as the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have the power through voting rights, or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. FTBNA could potentially receive benefits or absorb losses that are significant to the trust based on the size and priority of the interests it retained in the securities issued by the trust. However, since FTBNA did not retain servicing or other decision making rights, FTBNA is not the primary beneficiary as it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trust’s economic performance. Accordingly, FTBNA has accounted for the funds received through the securitization as a term borrowing in its Consolidated Condensed Statements of Condition. FTBNA has no contractual requirements to provide financial support to the trust.

Proprietary Trust Preferred Issuances. FHN previously issued junior subordinated debt to First Tennessee Capital II (“Capital II”). Capital II was considered a VIE as FHN’s capital contributions to this trust were not considered “at risk” in evaluating whether the holders of the equity investments at risk in the trust had the power through voting rights, or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impacted the entity’s economic performance. FHN was not the trust’s primary beneficiary as FHN’s capital contributions to the trust were not considered variable interests as they were not “at risk”. Consequently, Capital II was not consolidated by FHN. In third quarter 2015 FHN redeemed its junior subordinated debt, and as a result Capital II redeemed its 6.30 percent Capital Securities, Series B, and the trust was terminated.

Proprietary Residential Mortgage Securitizations. FHN holds variable interests in proprietary residential mortgage securitization trusts it established prior to 2008 as a source of liquidity for its mortgage banking operations. Except for recourse due to breaches of representations and warranties made by FHN in connection with the sale of the loans to the trusts, the creditors of the trusts hold no recourse to the assets of FHN. Additionally, FHN has no contractual requirements to provide financial support to the trusts. Based on their restrictive nature, the trusts are considered VIEs as the holders of equity at risk do not have the power through voting rights, or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trusts’ economic performance. While FHN is assumed to have the power as servicer to most significantly impact the activities of such VIEs, in situations where FHN does not have the ability to participate in significant portions of a securitization trust’s cash flows FHN is not considered the primary beneficiary of the trust. Therefore, these trusts are not consolidated by FHN.

Holdings & Short Positions in Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities. FHN holds securities issued by various Agency securitization trusts. Based on their restrictive nature, the trusts meet the definition of a VIE since the holders of the equity investments at risk do not have the power through voting rights, or similar rights, to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. FHN could potentially receive benefits or absorb losses that are significant to the trusts based on the nature of the trusts’ activities and the size of FHN’s holdings. However, FHN is solely a holder of the trusts’ securities and does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trusts’ economic performance, and is not considered the primary beneficiary of the trusts. FHN has no contractual requirements to provide financial support to the trusts.

Commercial Loan Troubled Debt Restructurings. For certain troubled commercial loans, FTBNA restructures the terms of the borrower’s debt in an effort to increase the probability of receipt of amounts contractually due. Following a troubled debt restructuring, the borrower entity typically meets the definition of a VIE as the initial determination of whether an entity is a VIE must be reconsidered as events have proven that the entity’s equity is not sufficient to permit it to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or a restructuring of the terms of its financing. As FTBNA does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact such troubled commercial borrowers’ operations, it is not considered the primary beneficiary even in situations where, based on the size of the financing provided, FTBNA is exposed to potentially significant benefits and losses of the borrowing entity. FTBNA has no contractual requirements to provide financial support to the borrowing entities beyond certain funding commitments established upon restructuring of the terms of the debt that allows for preparation of the underlying collateral for sale.

Sale Leaseback Transaction. In fourth quarter 2015, FTB entered into an agreement with a single asset leasing entity for the sale and lease back of an office building. In conjunction with this transaction, FTB loaned funds to a related party of the buyer that were used for the purchase price of the building. FTB also entered into a construction loan agreement with the single asset entity for renovation of the building. Since this transaction did not qualify as a sale, it is being accounted for using the deposit method which creates a net asset or liability for all cash flows between FTB and the buyer. The buyer-lessor in this transaction meets the definition of a VIE as it does not have sufficient equity at risk since FTB is providing the funding for the purchase and renovation. A related party of the buyer-lessor has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the operations and could potentially receive benefits or absorb losses that are significant to the transactions, making it the primary beneficiary. Therefore, FTB does not consolidate the leasing entity.


The following table summarizes FHN’s nonconsolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2016:

	Maximum		Liability
(Dollars in thousands)	Loss Exposure		Recognized			Classification
Type
Low income housing partnerships	$	67,911		$	14,676	(a)
Other Tax Credit Investments (b) (c)		20,759			-	Other assets
Small issuer trust preferred holdings (d)		333,374			-	Loans, net of unearned income
On-balance sheet trust preferred securitization		49,778			64,395	(e)
Proprietary residential mortgage securitizations		21,604			-	(f)
Holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities (d)		4,422,747			-	(g)
Short positions in agency mortgage-backed securities (h)		N/A			17	Trading liabilities
Commercial loan troubled debt restructurings (i)		33,325			-	Loans, net of unearned income
Sale-Leaseback Transaction		11,827			-	(j)

Maximum loss exposure represents $53.2 million of current investments and $14.7 million of accrued contractual funding commitments. Accrued funding commitments represent unconditional contractual obligations for future funding events, and are also recognized in Other Liabilities. FHN currently expects to be required to fund these accrued commitments by the end of 2016.
A liability is not recognized as investments are written down over the life of the related tax credit.
Maximum loss exposure represents current investment balance. Of the initial investment, $18.0 million was funded through loans from community development enterprises.
Maximum loss exposure represents the value of current investments. A liability is not recognized as FHN is solely a holder of the trusts’ securities.
Includes $112.5 million classified as Loans, net of unearned income, and $1.7 million classified as Trading securities which are offset by $64.4 million classified as Term borrowings.
Includes $.5 million classified as MSR, $3.1 million classified as Trading securities, and $18.0 million of aggregate servicing advances.
Includes $.6 billion classified as Trading securities and $3.8 billion classified as Securities available-for-sale.
No exposure of loss due to the nature of FHN’s involvement.
Maximum loss exposure represents $29.7 million of current receivables and $3.6 million of contractual funding commitments on loans related to commercial borrowers involved in a troubled debt restructuring.
Maximum loss exposure represents the current loan balance plus additional funding commitments less amounts received from the buyer-lessor.

The following table summarizes FHN's nonconsolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2015:

	Maximum		Liability
(Dollars in thousands)	Loss Exposure		Recognized		Classification
Type
Low income housing partnerships	$	58,971	$	3,609	(a)
Other Tax Credit Investments (b) (c)		21,360		-	Other assets
Small issuer trust preferred holdings(d)		364,352		-	Loans, net of unearned income
On-balance sheet trust preferred securitization		50,748		63,425	(e)
Proprietary trust preferred issuances (f)		N/A		206,186	Term borrowings
Proprietary and agency residential mortgage securitizations		25,786		-	(g)
Holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities (d)		4,338,653		-	(h)
Commercial loan troubled debt restructurings (i) (j)		39,015		-	Loans, net of unearned income

Maximum loss exposure represents $55.4 million of current investments and $3.6 million of accrued contractual funding commitments. Accrued funding commitments represent unconditional contractual obligations for future funding events, and are also recognized in Other Liabilities. FHN currently expects to be required to fund these accrued commitments by the end of 2016.
A liability is not recognized as investments are written down over the life of the related tax credit.
Maximum loss exposure represents current investment balance. Of the initial investment, $18.0 million was funded through loans from community development enterprises.
Maximum loss exposure represents the value of current investments. A liability is not recognized as FHN is solely a holder of the trusts’ securities.
Includes $112.5 million classified as Loans, net of unearned income, and $1.7 million classified as Trading securities which are offset by $63.4 million classified as Term borrowings.
No exposure to loss due to the nature of FHN’s involvement.
Includes $.7 million classified as MSR related to proprietary and agency residential mortgage securitizations and $5.3 million classified as Trading securities related to proprietary and agency residential mortgage securitizations. Aggregate servicing advances of $19.8 million are classified as Other assets.
Includes $859.7 million classified as Trading securities and $3.5 billion classified as Securities available-for-sale.
Maximum loss exposure represents $34.8 million of current receivables and $4.2 million of contractual funding commitments on loans related to commercial borrowers involved in a troubled debt restructuring.
A liability is not recognized as the loans are the only variable interests held in the troubled commercial borrowers’ operations.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest (as defined) held by the entity requires the variable interest entity (VIE) (as defined) to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the VIE, individually or in aggregate (as applicable); the nature of restrictions, if any, on the consolidated VIE's assets and on the settlement of its liabilities reported by an entity in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities; the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with involvement in the VIE; how involvement with the VIE affects the entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; the lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary (if applicable); the terms of arrangements, giving consideration to both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, if any, that could require the entity to provide financial support to the VIE, including events or circumstances that could expose the entity to a loss; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance are shared (as defined); the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities of the VIE included in the statement of financial position; the entity's maximum exposure to loss, if any, as a result of its involvement with the VIE, including how the maximum exposure is determined and significant sources of the entity's exposure to the VIE; a comparison of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities and the entity's maximum exposure to loss; information about any liquidity arrangements, guarantees, and (or) other commitments by third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of the entity's variable interest in the VIE; whether or not the entity has provided financial support or other support (explicitly or implicitly) to the VIE that it was not previously contractually required to provide or whether the entity intends to provide that support, including the type and amount of the support and the primary reasons for providing the support; and supplemental information the entity determines necessary to provide.

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