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Loans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]  
Loans
LOANS (Note 5)
The detail of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows: 
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Non-PCI
Loans
 
PCI
Loans*
 
Total
 
Non-PCI
Loans
 
PCI
Loans*
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
2,156,549

 
$
383,942

 
$
2,540,491

 
$
1,959,927

 
$
291,184

 
$
2,251,111

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
6,069,532

 
1,355,104

 
7,424,636

 
5,053,742

 
1,107,139

 
6,160,881

Construction
607,694

 
147,253

 
754,947

 
476,094

 
57,040

 
533,134

Total commercial real estate loans
6,677,226

 
1,502,357

 
8,179,583

 
5,529,836

 
1,164,179

 
6,694,015

Residential mortgage
2,912,079

 
218,462

 
3,130,541

 
2,419,044

 
157,328

 
2,576,372

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
391,809

 
119,394

 
511,203

 
400,136

 
97,111

 
497,247

Automobile
1,238,826

 
487

 
1,239,313

 
1,144,780

 
51

 
1,144,831

Other consumer
426,147

 
15,829

 
441,976

 
298,389

 
11,948

 
310,337

Total consumer loans
2,056,782

 
135,710

 
2,192,492

 
1,843,305

 
109,110

 
1,952,415

Total loans
$
13,802,636

 
$
2,240,471

 
$
16,043,107

 
$
11,752,112

 
$
1,721,801

 
$
13,473,913


 
*
PCI loans include covered loans (mostly consisting of commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans) totaling $122.3 million and $211.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Total non-PCI loans are net of unearned premiums and deferred loan costs totaling $3.5 million at December 31, 2015 as compared to net of unearned discounts and deferred loan fees of $9.0 million at December 31, 2014. The outstanding balances (representing contractual balances owed to Valley) for PCI loans totaled $2.4 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2014, we elected to transfer certain non-performing loans totaling $35.6 million (before $8.3 million of loan charge-offs at the transfer date) from the non-covered loan portfolio (primarily within the commercial real estate loan and commercial and industrial loan categories) to loans held for sale. With the exception of one loan held for sale at December 31, 2015, all of the transferred loans were sold during the second quarter of 2014. This sale transaction of the remaining loan was completed during the first quarter of 2015. There were no other sales or transfers of loans from the held for investment portfolio during 2015 and 2014.
Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans (Including Covered Loans)
PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30 and are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance (i.e., the allowance for loan losses), and aggregated and accounted for as pools of loans based on common risk characteristics. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the initial carrying amount (fair value) of the PCI loans, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of each pool. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “non-accretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment, as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Reclassifications of the non-accretable difference to the accretable yield may occur subsequent to the loan acquisition dates due to increases in expected cash flows of the loan pools. Valley's PCI loan portfolio included covered loans (i.e., loans in which the Bank will share losses with the FDIC under loss-sharing agreements) totaling $122.3 million and $211.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note 1 for additional information.


The following table presents information regarding the estimates of the contractually required payments, the cash flows expected to be collected, and the estimated fair value of the PCI loans acquired in the CNL acquisition (see Note 2), as of the December 1, 2015 closing date for the acquisition.
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Contractually required principal and interest
 
$
993,940

Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable difference)
 
(41,545
)
Expected cash flows to be collected
 
952,395

Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield)
 
(126,930
)
Fair value of acquired loans
 
$
825,465


The following table presents changes in the accretable yield for PCI loans for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
336,208

 
$
223,799

Acquisition
126,930

 
246,993

Accretion
(105,078
)
 
(74,507
)
Net increase (decrease) in expected cash flows
57,119

 
(60,077
)
Balance, end of period
$
415,179

 
$
336,208


The net increase (decrease) in expected cash flows for certain pools of loans (included in the table above) is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield over the estimated remaining life of the individual pools. The net increase of $57.1 million during 2015 was largely due to an increase in the expected cash flows mostly driven by lower loss expectations for certain PCI loan pools due to reforecasted cash flows during the fourth quarter of 2015. Conversely, the net decrease of $60.1 million during 2014 was largely due to an increase in the expected repayment speeds for certain non-covered PCI loan pools during the second quarter of 2014. Based upon the reforecasted cash flows during the second quarter of 2014, the average expected life of the non-covered PCI loans decreased to 2.2 years from approximately 4 years last forecasted during the second quarter of 2013.
FDIC Loss-Share Receivable
The receivable arising from the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC is measured separately from the covered loan portfolio because the agreements are not contractually part of the covered loans and are not transferable should the Bank choose to dispose of the covered loans. The FDIC loss share receivable (which is included in other assets on Valley's consolidated statements of financial condition) totaled $8.3 million and $13.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The aggregate effects of changes in the FDIC loss-share receivable was a reduction in non-interest income of $3.3 million, $20.8 million and $8.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Related Party Loans
In the ordinary course of business, Valley has granted loans to certain directors, executive officers and their affiliates (collectively referred to as “related parties”). These loans were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other unaffiliated persons and do not involve more than normal risk of collectability.
The following table summarizes the changes in the total amounts of loans and advances to the related parties during the year ended December 31, 2015: 
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Outstanding at beginning of year
$
234,278

New loans and advances
8,128

Repayments
(50,840
)
Outstanding at end of year
$
191,566


All loans to related parties are performing as of December 31, 2015.
Loan Portfolio Risk Elements and Credit Risk Management
Credit risk management.  For all of its loan types discussed below, Valley adheres to a credit policy designed to minimize credit risk while generating the maximum income given the level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis with subsequent approval by the Board of Directors annually. Credit authority relating to a significant dollar percentage of the overall portfolio is centralized and controlled by the Credit Risk Management Division and by the Credit Committee. A reporting system supplements the management review process by providing management with frequent reports concerning loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies, non-performing, and potential problem loans. Loan portfolio diversification is an important factor utilized by Valley to manage its risk across business sectors and through cyclical economic circumstances.
Commercial and industrial loans.  A significant proportion of Valley’s commercial and industrial loan portfolio is granted to long standing customers of proven ability, strong repayment performance, and high character. Underwriting standards are designed to assess the borrower’s ability to generate recurring cash flow sufficient to meet the debt service requirements of loans granted. While such recurring cash flow serves as the primary source of repayment, a significant number of the loans are collateralized by borrower assets intended to serve as a secondary source of repayment should the need arise. Anticipated cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value, or in the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the ability of the borrower to collect all amounts due from its customers. Short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis based on a borrower’s financial strength and past performance. Whenever possible, Valley will obtain the personal guarantee of the borrower’s principals to mitigate the risk. Unsecured loans, when made, are generally granted to the Bank’s most credit worthy borrowers. Unsecured commercial and industrial loans totaled $386.6 million and $345.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Commercial real estate loans.  Commercial real estate loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans. Commercial real estate loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real property. Loans generally involve larger principal balances and longer repayment periods as compared to commercial and industrial loans. Repayment of most loans is dependent upon the cash flow generated from the property securing the loan or the business that occupies the property. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy and accordingly, conservative loan to value ratios are required at origination, as well as stress tested to evaluate the impact of market changes relating to key underwriting elements. The properties securing the commercial real estate portfolio represent diverse types, with most properties located within Valley’s primary markets.
Construction loans.  With respect to loans to developers and builders, Valley originates and manages construction loans structured on either a revolving or non-revolving basis, depending on the nature of the underlying development project. These loans are generally secured by the real estate to be developed and may also be secured by additional real estate to mitigate the risk. Non-revolving construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantially all committed funds with repayment substantially dependent on the successful completion and sale, or lease, of the project. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be from pre-committed permanent loans from other lenders, sales of developed property, or an interim loan commitment from Valley until permanent financing is obtained elsewhere. Revolving construction loans (generally relating to single-family residential construction) are controlled with loan advances dependent upon the presale of housing units financed. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing.
Residential mortgages.  Valley originates residential, first mortgage loans based on underwriting standards that generally comply with Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac requirements. Appraisals and valuations of real estate collateral are contracted directly with independent appraisers or from valuation services and not through appraisal management companies. The Bank’s appraisal management policy and procedure is in accordance with regulatory requirements and guidance issued by the Bank’s primary regulator. Credit scoring, using FICO® and other proprietary credit scoring models is employed in the ultimate, judgmental credit decision by Valley’s underwriting staff. Valley does not use third party contract underwriting services. Residential mortgage loans include fixed and variable interest rate loans secured by one to four family homes generally located in northern and central New Jersey, the New York City metropolitan area, Florida and eastern Pennsylvania. Valley’s ability to be repaid on such loans is closely linked to the economic and real estate market conditions in this region. In deciding whether to originate each residential mortgage, Valley considers the qualifications of the borrower as well as the value of the underlying property.
Home equity loans.  Home equity lending consists of both fixed and variable interest rate products. Valley mainly provides home equity loans to its residential mortgage customers within the footprint of its primary lending territory. Valley generally will not exceed a combined (i.e., first and second mortgage) loan-to-value ratio of 75 percent when originating a home equity loan.
Automobile loans.  Valley uses both judgmental and scoring systems in the credit decision process for automobile loans. Automobile originations (including light truck and sport utility vehicles) are largely produced via indirect channels, originated through approved automobile dealers. Automotive collateral is generally a depreciating asset and there are times in the life of an automobile loan where the amount owed on a vehicle may exceed its collateral value. Additionally, automobile charge-offs will vary based on the strength or weakness of the used vehicle market, original advance rate, when in the life cycle of a loan a default occurs and the condition of the collateral being liquidated. Where permitted by law, and subject to the limitations of the bankruptcy code, deficiency judgments are sought and acted upon to ultimately collect all money owed, even when a default resulted in a loss at collateral liquidation. Valley uses a third party to actively track collision and comprehensive risk insurance required of the borrower on the automobile and this third party provides coverage to Valley in the event of an uninsured collateral loss.
Other consumer loans.  Valley’s other consumer loan portfolio includes direct consumer term loans, both secured and unsecured. The other consumer loan portfolio includes exposures in personal lines of credit (including those secured by cash surrender value of life insurance), credit card loans and personal loans. Valley believes the aggregate risk exposure of these loans and lines of credit was not significant at December 31, 2015. Unsecured consumer loans totaled approximately $18.8 million and $31.4 million, including $7.1 million and $7.6 million of credit card loans, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Credit Quality
The following tables present past due, non-accrual and current loans (excluding PCI loans, which are accounted for on a pool basis) by loan portfolio class at December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Past Due and Non-Accrual Loans
 
 
 
 
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
Loans
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
Loans
 
Accruing  Loans
90 Days Or More
Past Due
 
Non-Accrual
Loans
 
Total
Past Due
Loans
 
Current
Non-PCI
Loans
 
Total
Non-PCI
Loans
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
3,920

 
$
524

 
$
213

 
$
10,913

 
$
15,570

 
$
2,140,979

 
$
2,156,549

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
2,684

 

 
131

 
24,888

 
27,703

 
6,041,829

 
6,069,532

Construction
1,876

 
2,799

 

 
6,163

 
10,838

 
596,856

 
607,694

Total commercial real estate loans
4,560

 
2,799

 
131

 
31,051

 
38,541

 
6,638,685

 
6,677,226

Residential mortgage
6,681

 
1,626

 
1,504

 
17,930

 
27,741

 
2,884,338

 
2,912,079

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
1,308

 
111

 

 
2,088

 
3,507

 
388,302

 
391,809

Automobile
1,969

 
491

 
164

 
118

 
2,742

 
1,236,084

 
1,238,826

Other consumer
71

 
24

 
44

 

 
139

 
426,008

 
426,147

Total consumer loans
3,348

 
626

 
208

 
2,206

 
6,388

 
2,050,394

 
2,056,782

Total
$
18,509

 
$
5,575

 
$
2,056

 
$
62,100

 
$
88,240

 
$
13,714,396

 
$
13,802,636

 
Past Due and Non-Accrual Loans
 
 
 
 
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
Loans
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
Loans
 
Accruing  Loans
90 Days Or More
Past Due
 
Non-Accrual
Loans
 
Total
Past Due
Loans
 
Current
Non-PCI
Loans
 
Total
Non-PCI
Loans
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
1,630

 
$
1,102

 
$
226

 
$
8,467

 
$
11,425

 
$
1,948,502

 
$
1,959,927

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
8,938

 
113

 
49

 
22,098

 
31,198

 
5,022,544

 
5,053,742

Construction
448

 

 
3,988

 
5,223

 
9,659

 
466,435

 
476,094

Total commercial real estate loans
9,386

 
113

 
4,037

 
27,321

 
40,857

 
5,488,979

 
5,529,836

Residential mortgage
6,200

 
3,575

 
1,063

 
17,760

 
28,598

 
2,390,446

 
2,419,044

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
761

 
282

 

 
2,022

 
3,065

 
397,071

 
400,136

Automobile
1,902

 
391

 
126

 
90

 
2,509

 
1,142,271

 
1,144,780

Other consumer
319

 
91

 
26

 
97

 
533

 
297,856

 
298,389

Total consumer loans
2,982

 
764

 
152

 
2,209

 
6,107

 
1,837,198

 
1,843,305

Total
$
20,198

 
$
5,554

 
$
5,478

 
$
55,757

 
$
86,987

 
$
11,665,125

 
$
11,752,112


If interest on non-accrual loans had been accrued in accordance with the original contractual terms, such interest income would have amounted to approximately $3.5 million, $2.2 million, and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively; none of these amounts were included in interest income during these periods. Interest income recognized on a cash basis for loans classified as non-accrual totaled $1.3 million, $735 thousand and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Impaired loans.  Impaired loans, consisting of non-accrual commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans over $250 thousand and all loans which were modified in troubled debt restructurings, are individually evaluated for impairment. PCI loans are not classified as impaired loans because they are accounted for on a pool basis.
The following table presents the information about impaired loans by loan portfolio class at December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Related
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Related
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
7,863

 
$
17,851

 
$
25,714

 
$
33,071

 
$
3,439

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
30,113

 
37,440

 
67,553

 
71,263

 
3,354

Construction
8,847

 
5,530

 
14,377

 
14,387

 
317

Total commercial real estate loans
38,960

 
42,970

 
81,930

 
85,650

 
3,671

Residential mortgage
7,842

 
14,770

 
22,612

 
24,528

 
1,377

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
263

 
1,869

 
2,132

 
2,224

 
295

Total consumer loans
263

 
1,869

 
2,132

 
2,224

 
295

Total
$
54,928

 
$
77,460

 
$
132,388

 
$
145,473

 
$
8,782

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
6,579

 
$
21,645

 
$
28,224

 
$
33,677

 
$
4,929

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
29,784

 
44,713

 
74,497

 
77,007

 
5,342

Construction
14,502

 
2,299

 
16,801

 
20,694

 
160

Total commercial real estate loans
44,286

 
47,012

 
91,298

 
97,701

 
5,502

Residential mortgage
6,509

 
15,831

 
22,340

 
24,311

 
1,629

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
235

 
2,911

 
3,146

 
3,247

 
465

Total consumer loans
235

 
2,911

 
3,146

 
3,247

 
465

Total
$
57,609

 
$
87,399

 
$
145,008

 
$
158,936

 
$
12,525


The following table presents, by loan portfolio class, the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(in thousands)
Commercial and industrial
$
28,451

 
$
893

 
$
30,485

 
$
1,114

 
$
55,814

 
$
1,686

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
77,154

 
2,380

 
74,256

 
2,488

 
110,447

 
2,946

Construction
16,399

 
534

 
21,515

 
547

 
20,752

 
252

Total commercial real estate loans
93,553

 
2,914

 
95,771

 
3,035

 
131,199

 
3,198

Residential mortgage
24,435

 
728

 
26,863

 
812

 
29,059

 
996

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
3,852

 
111

 
2,214

 
49

 
1,191

 
65

Total consumer loans
3,852

 
111

 
2,214

 
49

 
1,191

 
65

Total
$
150,291

 
$
4,646

 
$
155,333

 
$
5,010

 
$
217,263

 
$
5,945


Troubled debt restructured loans.  From time to time, Valley may extend, restructure, or otherwise modify the terms of existing loans, on a case-by-case basis, to remain competitive and retain certain customers, as well as assist other customers who may be experiencing financial difficulties. If the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a concession has been made at the time of such modification, the loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured loan (TDR). Valley’s PCI loans are excluded from the TDR disclosures below because they are evaluated for impairment on a pool by pool basis. When an individual PCI loan within a pool is modified as a TDR, it is not removed from its pool. All TDRs are classified as impaired loans and are included in the impaired loan disclosures above.
The majority of the concessions made for TDRs involve lowering the monthly payments on loans through either a reduction in interest rate below a market rate, an extension of the term of the loan without a corresponding adjustment to the risk premium reflected in the interest rate, or a combination of these two methods. The concessions rarely result in the forgiveness of principal or accrued interest. In addition, Valley frequently obtains additional collateral or guarantor support when modifying such loans. If the borrower has demonstrated performance under the previous terms and Valley’s underwriting process shows the borrower has the capacity to continue to perform under the restructured terms, the loan will continue to accrue interest. Non-accruing restructured loans may be returned to accrual status when there has been a sustained period of repayment performance (generally six consecutive months of payments) and both principal and interest are deemed collectible.
Performing TDRs (not reported as non-accrual loans) totaled $77.6 million and $97.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Non-performing TDRs totaled $21.0 million and $19.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The following table presents non-PCI loans by loan class modified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The pre-modification and post-modification outstanding recorded investments disclosed in the table below represent the loan carrying amounts immediately prior to the modification and the carrying amounts at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Troubled Debt
Restructurings
 
Number of
 Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
 
17

 
$
8,409

 
$
6,793

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
 
5

 
6,768

 
6,709

Construction
 
2

 
646

 
1,391

Total commercial real estate
 
7

 
7,414

 
8,100

Residential mortgage
 
7

 
2,659

 
2,603

Consumer
 
2

 
1,111

 
1,095

Total
 
33

 
$
19,593

 
$
18,591

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
 
12

 
$
12,057

 
$
10,793

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
 
12

 
17,817

 
13,967

Construction
 
4

 
6,339

 
4,731

Total commercial real estate
 
16

 
24,156

 
18,698

Residential mortgage
 
9

 
5,662

 
5,348

Consumer
 
5

 
2,051

 
2,234

Total
 
42

 
$
43,926

 
$
37,073



The total TDRs presented in the table above had allocated specific reserves for loan losses that totaled $1.4 million and $3.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These specific reserves are included in the allowance for loan losses for loans individually evaluated for impairment disclosed in Note 6. Partial loan charge-offs related to loans modified as TDRs presented in the table above totaled $320 thousand and $861 thousand during 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, two commercial loans totaling $6.1 million with one borrower that were modified as TDRs during 2014 were fully charged-off during 2014. There were no full charge-offs resulting from loans modified as TDRs during 2015.
The non-PCI loans modified as TDRs within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default (90 or more days past due) consisted of four loans totaling $505 thousand at December 31, 2015.
Credit quality indicators.  Valley utilizes an internal loan classification system as a means of reporting problem loans within commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and construction loan portfolio classes. Under Valley’s internal risk rating system, loan relationships could be classified as “Pass”, “Special Mention”, “Substandard”, “Doubtful”, and “Loss.” Substandard loans include loans that exhibit well-defined weakness and are characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, based on currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Loans classified as Loss are those considered uncollectable with insignificant value and are charged-off immediately to the allowance for loan losses. Loans that do not currently pose a sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but pose weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention are deemed to be Special Mention. Loans rated as “Pass” loans do not currently pose any identified risk and can range from the highest to average quality, depending on the degree of potential risk. Risk ratings are updated any time the situation warrants.

The following table presents the risk category of loans by class of loans (excluding PCI loans) based on the most recent analysis performed at December 31, 2015 and 2014. 
Credit exposure—
by internally assigned risk rating
 
 
 
Special
 
 
 
 
 
Total Non-PCI
 
Pass
 
Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Loans
 
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
 
$
2,049,752

 
$
68,243

 
$
36,254

 
$
2,300

 
$
2,156,549

Commercial real estate
 
5,893,354

 
79,279

 
96,899

 

 
6,069,532

Construction
 
596,530

 
1,102

 
10,062

 

 
607,694

Total
 
$
8,539,636

 
$
148,624

 
$
143,215

 
$
2,300

 
$
8,833,775

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
 
$
1,865,472

 
$
50,453

 
$
44,002

 
$

 
$
1,959,927

Commercial real estate
 
4,903,185

 
40,232

 
110,325

 

 
5,053,742

Construction
 
455,145

 
1,923

 
16,482

 
2,544

 
476,094

Total
 
$
7,223,802

 
$
92,608

 
$
170,809

 
$
2,544

 
$
7,489,763


For residential mortgages, automobile, home equity and other consumer loan portfolio classes (excluding PCI loans), Valley also evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan, which was previously presented, and by payment activity. The following table presents the recorded investment in those loan classes based on payment activity as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Credit exposure—
by payment activity
 
Performing
Loans
 
Non-Performing
Loans
 
Total Non-PCI
Loans
 
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
 
$
2,894,149

 
$
17,930

 
$
2,912,079

Home equity
 
389,721

 
2,088

 
391,809

Automobile
 
1,238,708

 
118

 
1,238,826

Other consumer
 
426,147

 

 
426,147

Total
 
$
4,948,725

 
$
20,136

 
$
4,968,861

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
 
$
2,401,284

 
$
17,760

 
$
2,419,044

Home equity
 
398,114

 
2,022

 
400,136

Automobile
 
1,144,690

 
90

 
1,144,780

Other consumer
 
298,292

 
97

 
298,389

Total
 
$
4,242,380

 
$
19,969

 
$
4,262,349



Valley evaluates the credit quality of its PCI loan pools based on the expectation of the underlying cash flows of each pool, derived from the aging status and by payment activity of individual loans within the pool. The following table presents the recorded investment in PCI loans by class based on individual loan payment activity as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: 

Credit exposure—
 
Performing
 
Non-Performing
 
Total
by payment activity
 
Loans
 
Loans
 
PCI Loans
 
 
(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
 
$
373,665

 
$
10,277

 
$
383,942

Commercial real estate
 
1,342,030

 
13,074

 
1,355,104

Construction
 
141,547

 
5,706

 
147,253

Residential mortgage
 
214,713

 
3,749

 
218,462

Consumer
 
129,891

 
5,819

 
135,710

Total
 
$
2,201,846

 
$
38,625

 
$
2,240,471

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
 
$
272,027

 
$
19,157

 
$
291,184

Commercial real estate
 
1,091,784

 
15,355

 
1,107,139

Construction
 
52,802

 
4,238

 
57,040

Residential mortgage
 
153,789

 
3,539

 
157,328

Consumer
 
103,686

 
5,424

 
109,110

Total
 
$
1,674,088

 
$
47,713

 
$
1,721,801