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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NOTE A:  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations
Community Bank System, Inc. (the “Company”) is a registered financial holding company which wholly-owns two significant consolidated subsidiaries: Community Bank, N.A. (the “Bank” or “CBNA”), and Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. (“BPAS”).  As of December 31, 2019, BPAS owns five subsidiaries:  Benefit Plans Administrative Services, LLC (“BPA”), a provider of defined benefit contribution plan administration services; Northeast Retirement Services, LLC (“NRS”), a provider of institutional transfer agency, master recordkeeping services, fund administration, trust and retirement plan services; BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services, LLC (“BPAS-APS”), a provider of actuarial and benefit consulting services; BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rican trust company; and Hand Benefits & Trust Company (“HB&T”), a provider of collective investment fund administration and institutional trust services.  NRS owns one subsidiary, Global Trust Company, Inc. (“GTC”), a non-depository trust company which provides fiduciary services for collective investment trusts and other products.  HB&T owns one subsidiary, Hand Securities Inc. (“HSI”), an introducing broker-dealer.  The Company also wholly-owns one unconsolidated subsidiary business trust formed for the purpose of issuing mandatorily-redeemable preferred securities which are considered Tier I capital under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines (see Note P).

As of December 31, 2019, the Bank operated 231 full service branches operating as Community Bank, N.A. throughout 40 counties of Upstate New York, six counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 12 counties of Vermont and one county of Western Massachusetts, offering a range of commercial and retail banking services.  The Bank owns the following operating subsidiaries:  The Carta Group, Inc. (“Carta Group”), CBNA Preferred Funding Corporation (“PFC”), CBNA Treasury Management Corporation (“TMC”), Community Investment Services, Inc. (“CISI”), NOTCH Investment Fund, LLC (“NOTCH”), Nottingham Advisors, Inc. (“Nottingham”), OneGroup NY, Inc. (“OneGroup”), and Oneida Preferred Funding II LLC (“OPFC II”).  OneGroup is a full-service insurance agency offering personal and commercial lines of insurance and other risk management products and services.  NOTCH, PFC and OPFC II primarily act as investors in residential and commercial real estate activities.  TMC provides cash management, investment, and treasury services to the Bank.  CISI and Carta Group provide broker-dealer and investment advisory services.  Nottingham provides asset management services to individuals, corporations, corporate pension and profit sharing plans, and foundations.

Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) are legal entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the legal entities to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support.  VIEs may be required to be consolidated by a company if it is determined the company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the enterprise that has: (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  The Company’s VIE’s are described in more detail in Note T to the consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Critical accounting estimates include the allowance for loan losses, actuarial assumptions associated with the pension, post-retirement and other employee benefit plans, the provision for income taxes, investment valuation and other-than-temporary impairment, the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, and acquired loan valuations.

Risk and Uncertainties
In the normal course of its business, the Company encounters economic and regulatory risks.  There are three main components of economic risk: interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk.  The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice at different speeds, or on different basis, from its interest-earning assets.  The Company’s primary credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s loan portfolio that results from the borrowers’ inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments.  Market risk reflects potential changes in the value of collateral underlying loans, the fair value of investment securities, and loans held for sale.

The Company is subject to regulations of various governmental agencies.  These regulations can change significantly from period to period.  The Company also undergoes periodic examinations by the regulatory agencies which may subject it to further changes with respect to asset valuations, amounts of required loan loss allowances, and operating restrictions resulting from the regulators’ judgments based on information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606. The implementation of the new standard did not have a material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue; as such, a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not deemed necessary. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Topic 605.

Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives, and certain credit card fees are also not in scope of the newly adopted guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to the Company’s noninterest revenue streams including its deposit related fees, electronic payment interchange fees, merchant income, trust, asset management and other wealth management revenues, insurance commissions and benefit plan services income. However, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of Topic 606.  Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below.

Deposit Service Fees
Deposit service fees consist of account activity fees, monthly service fees, check orders, debit and credit card income, ATM fees, Merchant services income and other revenues from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks and foreign exchange.  Debit and credit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned at the time the Company’s debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Visa. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM.   Merchant services income mainly represents fees charged to merchants to process their debit and credit card transactions, in addition to account management fees. The Company’s performance obligation for deposit service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or the transaction has been completed.  Payment for deposit service fees is typically received at the time it is assessed through a direct charge to customers’ accounts or on a monthly basis.  Deposit service fees revenue primarily relates to the Company’s Banking operating segment.

Other Banking Services
Other banking services consists of other recurring revenue streams such as commissions from sales of credit life insurance, safe deposit box rental fees, mortgage banking income, bank owned life insurance income and other miscellaneous revenue streams. Commissions from the sale of credit life insurance are recognized at the time of sale of the policies.  Safe deposit box rental fees are charged to the customer on an annual basis and recognized upon receipt of payment. The Company determined that since rentals and renewals occur fairly consistently over time, revenue is recognized on a basis consistent with the duration of the performance obligation.  Mortgage banking income and bank owned life insurance income are not within the scope of Topic 606.  Other banking services revenue primarily relates to the Company’s Banking operating segment.

Employee Benefit Services
Employee benefit services income consists of revenue received from retirement plan services, collective investment fund services, fund administration, transfer agency, consulting and actuarial services.  The Company’s performance obligation that relates to plan services are satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly or quarterly, based upon the market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate or on a time expended basis. Payment is generally received a few days after month end or quarter end. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives. Transactional services such as consulting services, mailings, or other ad hoc services are provided to existing trust and asset management customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time (i.e., as incurred). Payment is received shortly after services are rendered.  Employee benefit services revenue primarily relates to the Company’s Employee Benefit Services operating segment.

Insurance Services
Insurance services primarily consists of commissions received on insurance product sales and consulting services. The Company acts in the capacity of a broker or agent between the Company’s customer and the insurance carrier. The Company’s performance obligation related to insurance sales for both property and casualty insurance and employee benefit plans is generally satisfied upon the later of the issuance or effective date of the policy. The Company’s performance obligation related to consulting services is considered transactional in nature and is generally satisfied when the services have been completed and related revenue recognized at a point in time.  Payment is received at the time services are rendered.  The Company earns performance based incentives, commonly known as contingency payments, which usually are based on certain criteria established by the insurance carrier such as premium volume, growth and insured loss ratios.  Contingent payments are accrued for based upon management’s expectations for the year.  Commission expense associated with sales of insurance products is expensed as incurred.  Insurance services revenue primarily relates to the Company’s All Other operating segment.

Wealth Management Services
Wealth management services income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets.   The Company generally has two types of performance obligations related to these services.  The Company’s performance obligation that relates to advisory and administration services are satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received soon after month end or quarter end through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives. Transactional services such as tax return preparation services, purchases and sales of investments and insurance products are also available to existing trust and asset management customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time (i.e. as incurred). Payment is generally received on a monthly basis.  Wealth management services revenue primarily relates to the Company’s All Other operating segment.

Contract Balances
A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as asset management fees based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of December 31, 2019, $26.8 million of accounts receivable, including $7.5 million of unbilled fee revenue, and $1.8 million of unearned revenue was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Condition.  As of December 31, 2018, $26.4 million of accounts receivable, including $7.8 million of unbilled fee revenue, and $2.2 million of unearned revenue was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Condition.

Contract Acquisition Costs
In connection with the adoption of Topic 606, an entity is required to capitalize, and subsequently amortize into expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained (for example, sales commission). The Company utilizes the practical expedient method which allows entities to immediately expense contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. Upon adoption of Topic 606, the Company did not capitalize any contract acquisition costs.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 90 days.  The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Condition for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets’ fair values.  As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, cash and cash equivalents reported in the consolidated statements of condition included cash due from banks of $10.4 million and $15.0 million, respectively.

Investment Securities
The Company can classify its investments in debt securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading.  Held-to-maturity securities are those for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, and are reported at cost, which is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.  The Company did not use the held-to-maturity classification in 2018 or 2019.  Available-for-sale debt securities are reported at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses reflected as a separate component of shareholders' equity, net of applicable income taxes.  None of the Company's investment securities have been classified as trading securities at December 31, 2019.  Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value are reported at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Certain equity securities that do not have a readily determinable fair value are stated at cost, less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. These securities include restricted stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“Federal Reserve”) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (collectively referred to as “FHLB”), as well as other equity securities.

Fair values for investment securities are based upon quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based upon quoted market prices of comparable instruments, or a discounted cash flow model using market estimates of interest rates and volatility.

The Company conducts an assessment of all securities in an unrealized loss position to determine if other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) exists on a quarterly basis. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis.  The OTTI assessment considers the security structure, recent security collateral performance metrics, if applicable, external credit ratings, failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments, judgment about and expectations of future performance, and relevant independent industry research, analysis, and forecasts. The severity of the impairment and the length of time the security has been impaired is also considered in the assessment.  The assessment of whether an OTTI decline exists is performed on each security, regardless of the classification of the security as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, and involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment that is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

An OTTI loss must be recognized for a debt security in an unrealized loss position if there is intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. In this situation, the amount of loss recognized in income is equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security. Even if management does not have the intent, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities, an evaluation of the expected cash flows to be received is performed to determine if a credit loss has occurred. For debt securities, a critical component of the evaluation for OTTI is the identification of credit-impaired securities, where the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.  In the event of a credit loss, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss would be recognized in income. The portion of the unrealized loss relating to other factors, such as liquidity conditions in the market or changes in market interest rates, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The specific identification method is used in determining the realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities and OTTI charges.  Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized and accreted, respectively, on the interest method basis over the period to maturity or estimated life of the related security.  Purchases and sales of securities are recognized on a trade date basis.

Loans
Loans are stated at unpaid principal balances, net of unearned income.  Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at fair value and are included in loans held for sale on the consolidated statements of condition.  Fair values for variable rate loans that reprice frequently are based on carrying values.  Fair values for fixed rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.  The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates its fair value.

Interest on loans is accrued and credited to operations based upon the principal amount outstanding.  Nonrefundable loan fees and related direct costs are deferred and included in the loan balances where they are amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to loan yield using the effective yield method.  Premiums and discounts on purchased loans are amortized using the effective yield method over the life of the loans.

Acquired loans
Acquired loans are initially recorded at their acquisition date fair values.  The carryover of allowance for loan losses is prohibited as any credit losses in the loans are included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date. Fair values for acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default rates, loss severity, payment speeds, collateral values and discount rate.

Acquired impaired loans
Acquired loans that have evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments are accounted for as impaired loans under ASC 310-30.  The excess of undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loans using the interest method. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable discount. The non-accretable discount represents estimated future credit losses and other contractually required payments that the Company does not expect to collect. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairments through a charge to the provision for loan losses resulting in an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent improvements in expected cash flows result in a recovery of previously recorded allowance for loan losses or a reversal of a corresponding amount of the non-accretable discount, which the Company then reclassifies as an accretable discount that is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loans using the interest method.

Acquired loans that met the criteria for non-accrual of interest prior to acquisition may be considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the Company can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if the Company expects to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, the Company may no longer consider the loan to be non-accrual or non-performing and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable discount.

Acquired non-impaired loans
Acquired loans that do not meet the requirements under ASC 310-30 are considered acquired non-impaired loans. The difference between the acquisition date fair value and the outstanding balance represents the fair value adjustment for a loan and includes both credit and interest rate considerations. Fair value adjustments may be discounts (or premiums) to a loan’s cost basis and are accreted (or amortized) to net interest income (or expense) over the loan’s remaining life in accordance with ASC 310-20. Fair value adjustments for revolving loans are accreted (or amortized) using a straight line method. Term loans are accreted (or amortized) using the constant effective yield method.

Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods used to estimate the allowance for loan losses for the acquired non-impaired loans is consistent with the policy described below.  However, the Company compares the net realizable value of the loans to the carrying value, for loans collectively evaluated for impairment.  The carrying value represents the net of the loan’s unpaid principal balance and the remaining purchase discount (or premium) that has yet to be accreted (or amortized) into interest income (or interest expense).  When the carrying value exceeds the net realizable value, an allowance for loan losses is recognized.

Impaired and Other Nonaccrual Loans
The Company places a loan on nonaccrual status when the loan becomes 90 days past due (or sooner, if management concludes collection is doubtful), except when, in the opinion of management, it is well-collateralized and in the process of collection. A loan may be placed on nonaccrual status earlier than 90 days past due if there is deterioration in the financial position of the borrower or if other conditions of the loan so warrant. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, uncollected accrued interest is reversed against interest income and the amortization of nonrefundable loan fees and related direct costs is discontinued. Interest income during the period the loan is on nonaccrual status is recorded on a cash basis after recovery of principal is reasonably assured. Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when management determines that the borrower’s performance has improved and that both principal and interest are collectible.  This generally requires a sustained period of timely principal and interest payments and a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition.

A loan is considered modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when, due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company makes a concession(s) to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.  These modifications may include, among others, an extension for the term of the loan, or granting a period when interest–only payments can be made with the principal payments and interest caught up over the remaining term of the loan or at maturity.  Generally, a nonaccrual loan that has been modified in a TDR remains on nonaccrual status for a period of 12 months to demonstrate that the borrower is able to meet the terms of the modified loan.  If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, the loan remains on nonaccrual status.

Regulatory guidance issued by the OCC requires certain loans that have been discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy to be reported as TDRs.  In accordance with this guidance, loans that have been discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy but not reaffirmed by the borrower are classified as TDRs, irrespective of payment history or delinquency status, even if the repayment terms for the loan have not been otherwise modified and the Company’s lien position against the underlying collateral remains unchanged.  Pursuant to that guidance, the Company records a charge-off equal to any portion of the carrying value that exceeds the net realizable value of the collateral.

Commercial loans greater than $0.5 million are evaluated individually for impairment.  A loan is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  The measurement of impaired loans is generally based upon the present value of expected future cash flows or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral-dependent.

The Company’s charge-off policy by loan type is as follows:
Business lending loans are generally charged-off to the extent outstanding principal exceeds the fair value of estimated proceeds from collection efforts, including liquidation of collateral.  The charge-off is recognized when the loss becomes reasonably quantifiable.
Consumer installment loans are generally charged-off to the extent outstanding principal exceeds the fair value of collateral, and are recognized by the end of the month in which the loan becomes 90 days past due.
Consumer mortgage and home equity loans are generally charged-off to the extent outstanding principal exceeds the fair value of the property, less estimated costs to sell, and are recognized when the loan becomes 180 days past due.

Allowance for Loan Losses
Management continually evaluates the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, and performs a formal review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.  The allowance reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  Determination of the allowance is subjective in nature and requires significant estimates.   The Company’s allowance methodology consists of two broad components - general and specific loan loss allocations.

The general loan loss allocation is composed of two calculations that are computed on five main loan segments:  business lending, consumer direct, consumer indirect, home equity and consumer mortgage.  The first calculation is quantitative and determines an allowance level based on the latest 36 months of historical net charge-off data for each loan class (commercial loans exclude balances with specific loan loss allocations).  The second calculation is qualitative and takes into consideration eight qualitative environmental factors:  levels and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards, and other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations.    A component of the qualitative calculation is the unallocated allowance for loan loss.  The qualitative and quantitative calculations are added together to determine the general loan loss allocation.  The specific loan loss allocation relates to individual commercial loans that are both greater than $0.5 million and in a nonaccruing status with respect to interest.  Specific loan losses are based on discounted estimated cash flows, including any cash flows resulting from the conversion of collateral or collateral shortfalls.  The allowance levels computed from the specific and general loan loss allocation methods are combined with unallocated allowances and allowances needed for acquired loans to derive the total required allowance for loan losses to be reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Condition.

Loan losses are charged off against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance.  A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of factors previously mentioned.

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include core deposit intangibles, customer relationship intangibles and goodwill arising from acquisitions. Core deposit intangibles and customer relationship intangibles are amortized on either an accelerated or straight-line basis over periods ranging from seven to 20 years. The initial and ongoing carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets is based upon discounted cash flow modeling techniques that require management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows.  It also requires use of a discount rate that reflects the current return requirements of the market in relation to present risk-free interest rates, required equity market premiums, peer volatility indicators, and company-specific risk indicators.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment.  The implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to its carrying amount and the impairment loss is measured by the excess of the carrying value over fair value.  The fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of that reporting unit in order to determine if impairment is indicated.

Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Computer software costs that are capitalized include only external direct costs of obtaining and installing the software.  The Company has not developed any internal use software.  Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Useful lives range from two to 20 years for equipment; three to seven years for software and hardware; and 10 to 40 years for building and building improvements.  Land improvements are depreciated over 20 years and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the respective lease plus any optional renewal periods that are reasonably assured or life of the asset. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Leases
The Company occupies certain offices and uses certain equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The right-of-use assets associated with operating leases are recorded in premises and equipment in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition. The lease liabilities associated with operating leases are included in accrued interest and other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition.

Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying assets for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the associated leases. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses interest rates on advances from the FHLB available at the time of commencement to determine the present value of lease payments. The operating lease right-of-use assets include any lease payments made at the time of commencement and exclude lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in occupancy and equipment expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

The Company elected to account for lease and non-lease components separately, applies a portfolio approach to account for the lease right-of-use assets and liabilities for certain equipment leases and elected to exclude leases with a term of 12 months or less from the recognition and measurement policies described above.

Other Real Estate
Other real estate owned is comprised of properties acquired through foreclosure, or by deed in lieu of foreclosure.  These assets are carried at fair value less estimated costs of disposal.  At foreclosure, if the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, of the real estate acquired is less than the Company’s recorded investment in the related loan, a write-down is recognized through a charge to the allowance for loan losses.  Any subsequent reduction in value is recognized by a charge to income.  Operating costs associated with the properties are charged to expense as incurred.  At December 31, 2019 and 2018, other real estate totaled $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and is included in other assets.

Mortgage Servicing Rights
Originated mortgage servicing rights are recorded at their fair value at the time of sale of the underlying loan, and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income or loss.  The Company uses a valuation model that calculates the present value of future cash flows to determine the fair value of servicing rights.  In using this valuation method, the Company incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, which includes estimates of the servicing cost per loan, the discount rate, and prepayment speeds.  The carrying value of the originated mortgage servicing rights is included in other assets and is evaluated quarterly for impairment using these same market assumptions.  The amount of impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the capitalized servicing rights for a stratum exceeds estimated fair value.  Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance.

Treasury Stock
Repurchases of shares of the Company’s common stock are recorded at cost as a reduction of shareholders’ equity.  Reissuance of shares of treasury stock is recorded at average cost.

Income Taxes
The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.  Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes currently payable or refundable as well as deferred taxes that are based on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported in the consolidated financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.

Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position meeting the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be measured at the largest amount of benefit for which the likelihood of realization upon ultimate settlement exceeds 50 percent.  Should tax laws change or the taxing authorities determine that management’s assumptions were inappropriate, an adjustment may be required which could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Investments in Real Estate Limited Partnerships
The Company has investments in various real estate limited partnerships that acquire, develop, own and operate low and moderate-income housing.  The Company’s ownership interest in these limited partnerships ranges from 5.00% to 99.99% as of December 31, 2019.  These investments are made directly in Low Income Housing Tax Credit, or LIHTC, partnerships formed by third parties.  As a limited partner in these operating partnerships, the Company receives tax credits and tax deductions for losses incurred by the underlying properties.

The Company accounts for its ownership interest in LIHTC partnerships in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-01, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323):  Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.  The standard permits an entity to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the amount of the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense.  The Company has unfunded commitments of $0.4 million at year-end related to qualified affordable housing project investments, which will be funded in 2020.  There were no impairment losses during the year resulting from the forfeiture or ineligibility of tax credits related to qualified affordable housing project investments.

Repurchase Agreements
The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase.  These agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions.  These secured borrowings are reflected as liabilities in the accompanying consolidated statements of condition and are recorded at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.  Short-term securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within one day from the transaction date.  Securities, generally U.S. government and federal agency securities, pledged as collateral under these financing arrangements can be repledged by the secured party.  Additional collateral may be required based on the fair value of the underlying securities.

Retirement Benefits
The Company provides defined benefit pension benefits to eligible employees and post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain eligible retirees.  The Company also provides deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans for selected current and former employees, officers, and directors.  Expense under these plans is charged to current operations and consists of several components of net periodic benefit cost based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plans, including discount rate, rate of future compensation increases and expected return on plan assets.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments at fair value.  If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”), (2) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows 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) an instrument with no hedging designation (“stand-alone derivative”).  For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change.  For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, as noninterest revenues.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged.  Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in noninterest revenues.  Cash flows on hedges are classified in the consolidated statement of cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship.  This documentation includes linking the fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the statement of condition or to specific commitments or forecasted transactions.

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded in noninterest revenues.  When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability.  When a cash flow hedge is discontinued, but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

Assets Under Management or Administration
Assets held in fiduciary or agency capacities for customers are not included in the accompanying consolidated statements of condition as they are not assets of the Company.  All fees associated with providing asset management services are recorded on an accrual basis of accounting and are included in noninterest income.

Advertising
Advertising costs amounting to approximately $7.1 million, $5.1 million and $5.7 million for the years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are nondirect response in nature and expensed as incurred.

Bank Owned Life Insurance
The Company owns life insurance policies on certain current and former employees and directors where the Bank is the beneficiary.  Bank owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value (“CSV”) adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.  Increases in the CSV of the policies, as well as the death benefits received, net of any CSV, are recorded in noninterest income, and are not subject to income taxes.

Earnings Per Share
Using the two-class method, basic earnings per common share is computed based upon net income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period, which excludes the outstanding unvested restricted stock.  Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares determined for the basic earnings per common share computation plus the dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury stock method.  Stock options where the exercise price is greater than the average market price of common shares were not included in the computation of earnings per diluted share as they would have been anti-dilutive. Shares held in rabbi trusts related to deferred compensation plans are considered outstanding for purposes of computing earnings per share.

Stock-based Compensation
Companies are required to measure and record compensation expense for stock options and other share-based payments on the instruments’ fair value on the date of grant.  Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards (see Note L).

Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The Company determines fair values based on quoted market values where available or on estimates using present values or other valuation techniques.  Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.  In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.  Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from this disclosure requirement.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.  The fair values of investment securities, loans, deposits, and borrowings have been disclosed in Note R.

Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ balances to conform to the current year presentation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This new guidance supersedes the lease requirements in Topic 840, Leases and is based on the principle that a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term.  The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under the previous guidance.  In addition, the guidance requires an entity to separate the lease components from the nonlease components in a contract.  The ASU requires disclosures about the amount, timing, and judgments related to a reporting entity’s accounting for leases and related cash flows.  The standard is required to be applied to all leases in existence as of the date of adoption using a modified retrospective transition approach, with certain practical expedients available. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 using the cumulative-effect adjustment method. The cumulative-effect adjustment was not material. The Company elected several practical expedients available under the standard. The Company elected to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, to not reassess the classification (operating or capital) of any expired or existing contracts, to not reassess initial direct costs for existing leases, and to use hindsight in determining the lease term. The Company has implemented processes and a lease accounting system to ensure adequate internal controls were in place to assess its contracts and enable proper accounting and reporting of financial information upon adoption. The increase in total assets and total liabilities was $34.2 million. The impact on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows was not material.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.  This new guidance amends current guidance to better align hedge accounting with risk management activities and reduce the complexity involved in applying hedge accounting.  Under this new guidance, the concept of hedge ineffectiveness will be eliminated.  Ineffective income generated by cash flow and net investment hedges will be recognized in the same financial reporting period and income statement line item as effective income, so as to reflect the full cost of hedging at one time and in one place. Ineffective income generated by fair value hedges will continue to be reflected in current period earnings; however, it will be recognized in the same income statement line item as effective income. The guidance will also allow any contractually specified variable rate to be designated as the hedged risk in a cash flow hedge.  With respect to fair value hedges of interest rate risk, the guidance will allow changes in the fair value of the hedged item to be calculated solely using changes in the benchmark interest rate component of the instrument’s total contractual coupon cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU No. 2016-13”). This new guidance significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. This ASU will replace the incurred loss methodology under existing guidance with a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology for instruments measured at amortized cost, and require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount, as they do today under the other-than-temporary impairment model. CECL simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans and requires adoption through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

The Company has developed, refined and validated its CECL models that were run in parallel to its incurred loss model for the third and fourth quarters of 2019. The Company’s CECL models utilizes historical data, as well as current and expected economic conditions and forecasts. The development of these models required the evaluation of data requirements, a determination of loan segments, the determination of the model construct for each loan segment and the development of a qualitative framework. In addition, the Company evaluated its CECL models’ sensitivity to various model inputs and identified the key controls around model development and quarterly model operation.  Management is currently in the process of finalizing the evaluation of key controls around the quarterly and annual financial statement disclosures of its CECL models.

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective approach, and recorded a net cumulative-effect adjustment that increased retained earnings by $0.5 million. This adjustment was a result of a $0.7 million decrease in the allowance for loan losses and a $1.0 million adjustment to loans, partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in other liabilities related to the allowance for off-balance-sheet credit exposures. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 did not result in a material allowance for credit losses on the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities or its other instruments carried at amortized cost. The Company’s regulators will permit financial institutions to “phase-in” the impact of CECL on its regulatory capital ratios over 3 years with transitional relief of incremental capital requirements.  The Company will not utilize the phased-in approach and will record the entire cumulative-effect adjustment against its regulatory capital at the time of adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). The amendments simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating the requirement to measure a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  Instead, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value.  Impairment loss recognized under this new guidance will be limited to the goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.  This ASU is effective prospectively for the Company for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 and determined the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820).  The updated guidance removed the requirement to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The updated guidance clarifies that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurements as of the reporting date. Further, the updated guidance requires disclosure of changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and how the weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements was calculated.  This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 and determined the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (Subtopic 715-20).  The updated guidance removed the requirements to identify amounts that are expected to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in the next fiscal year, as well as the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on service and interest cost and on the postretirement benefit obligation. The updated guidance added disclosure requirements for the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with interest crediting rates, and explanations for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period.  This new guidance is effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740).  The updated guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, and clarifying and amending existing guidance to improve consistent application.  This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim periods for which financial statements have not been issued.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.