Summary Of Significant Accounting And Reporting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies: The accounting and reporting policies of City Holding Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) conform with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles and require management to make estimates and develop assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and related footnotes. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates. The following is a summary of the more significant policies.

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of City Holding Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles. Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. The Company consolidates voting interest entities in which it has all, or at least a majority of, the voting interest. As defined in applicable accounting standards, variable interest entities (VIEs) are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when an enterprise has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, City Holding Capital Trust III and Town Square Statutory Trust I, are VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the accounts of these entities are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

       Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on total shareholders’ equity or net income for any period.

Cash and Due from Banks

Cash and Due from Banks: The Company considers cash, due from banks, and interest-bearing deposits in depository institutions as cash and cash equivalents. City National is required to maintain an average reserve balance with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond to compensate for services provided by the Federal Reserve and to meet statutory required reserves for demand deposits.

Securities

Securities: Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. If management has the intent and the Company has the ability at the time of purchase to hold debt securities to maturity, they are classified as investment securities held-to-maturity and are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Debt securities which the Company may not hold to maturity are classified as investment securities available-for-sale along with the Company’s investment in equity securities. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in comprehensive income. Securities classified as available-for-sale include securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, resultant prepayment risk, and other factors.

       The Company utilizes a third party pricing service provider to value its investment portfolio.  Annually, the Company obtains an independent auditor’s report from its third party pricing service provider regarding its controls over valuation of investment securities.  Although an unqualified opinion regarding the design and operating effectiveness of controls was issued, the report did contain caveats and disclaimers regarding the pricing information, such as the Company should review market values for reasonableness.  On a quarterly basis, the Company reprices its debt securities with a third party that is independent of the primary pricing service provider to verify the reasonableness of the fair values.

       Also, on a quarterly basis, the Company performs a review of investment securities to determine if any unrealized losses are indicative that investment securities are other than temporarily impaired.  Management considers the following, among other things, in its determination of the nature of the unrealized losses: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; (ii) the financial condition, capital strength, and near–term (within 12 months) prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer such as changes in technology that may impair the earnings potential of the investment or the discontinuance of a segment of the business that may affect the future earnings potential; (iii) the historical volatility in the market value of the investment and/or the liquidity or illiquidity of the investment; (iv) adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area; and (v) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  The Company continues to actively monitor the market value of these investments along with the financial strength of the issuers behind these securities, as well as its entire investment portfolio.

The specific identification method is used to determine the cost basis of securities sold. Certain investment securities that do not have readily determinable fair values and for which the Company does not exercise significant influence are carried at cost and classified as other investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  These cost-method investments are reviewed for impairment at least annually or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Loans

Loans: Loans, excluding previously securitized loans, which are discussed separately below, are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income.  Portfolio loans include those for which management has the intent and the Company has the ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff.  The foreseeable future is based upon management’s judgment of current business strategies and market conditions, the type of loan, asset/liability management, and liquidity.

       Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to operations based upon the principal amount outstanding, using methods that generally result in level rates of return. Loan origination fees, and certain direct costs, are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to the yield over the term of the loan. The accrual of interest income generally is discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due as to principal or interest for all loan types.  However, any loan may be placed on non-accrual status if the Company receives information that indicates that it is probable a borrower will be unable to meet the contractual terms of their respective loan agreement. Other indicators considered for placing a loan on non-accrual status include the borrower’s involvement in bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, litigation and any other situation resulting in doubt as to whether full collection of contractual principal and interest is attainable. When interest accruals are discontinued, unpaid interest recognized in income in the current year is reversed, and interest accrued in prior years is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Management may elect to continue the accrual of interest when the estimated net realizable value of collateral exceeds the principal balance and related accrued interest, and the loan is in process of collection.

Generally for all loan classes, payments during the period the loan is non-performing are recorded on a cash basis. Payments received on nonperforming loans are typically applied directly against the outstanding principal balance until the loan is fully repaid. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.

Generally, all loan types are considered past due when the contractual terms of a loan are not met and the borrower is 30 days or more past due on a payment.  Furthermore, residential and home equity loans are generally subject to charge-off when the loan becomes 120 days past due, depending on the estimated fair value of the collateral less cost to dispose, versus the outstanding loan balance. Commercial loans are generally charged off when the loan becomes 120 days past due and consumer loans are generally charged off when the loan becomes 120 days past due.

Loan and Leases Receivable, Acquired Loans

Acquired Loans: In determining the estimated fair value of the acquired loans, management considered several factors, such as estimated future credit losses, estimated prepayments, remaining lives of the acquired loans, estimated value of the underlying collateral and the present value of the cash flows expected to be received.  For smaller loans not specifically reviewed, management grouped the loans into their respective homogeneous loan pool and applied a loss estimate accordingly.

Acquired loans are accounted for using one of the two following accounting standards:

(1) ASC Topic 310-20 is used to value loans that do not have evidence of credit quality deterioration.  For these loans, the difference between the fair value of the loan and the amortized cost of the loan is amortized or accreted into income using the interest method.

(2) ASC Topic 310-30 is used to value loans that have evidence of credit quality deterioration.  For these loans, the expected cash flows that exceed the fair value of the loan represent the accretable yield, which is recognized as interest income on a level-yield basis over the expected cash flow periods of the loans.  The non-accretable difference represents the difference between the contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected based upon management’s estimation.  Subsequent decreases in the expected cash flows will require the Company to evaluate the need for additions to the Company’s allowance for loan losses.  Subsequent increases in the expected cash flows will result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior charges with a corresponding adjustment to the accretable yield, which will result in the recognition of additional interest income over the remaining lives of the loans. 

Allowance for Loan Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of probable losses in the loan portfolio. Management’s determination of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses is based upon an evaluation of individual credits in the loan portfolio, historical loan loss experience, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. This determination is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. These evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more frequently if deemed necessary.  The allowance for loan losses related to loans considered to be impaired is generally evaluated based on the discounted cash flows using the impaired loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. Loan losses are charged against the allowance and 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 the appropriateness of the allowance after considering factors noted above, among others.

In evaluating the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses, the Company stratifies the loan portfolio into six major groupings, including commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, residential real estate, home equity, consumer and DDA overdrafts. Historical loss experience, as adjusted, is applied to the then outstanding balance of loans in each classification to estimate probable losses inherent in each segment of the portfolio. Historical loss experience is adjusted using a systematic weighted probability of potential risk factors that could result in actual losses deviating from prior loss experience. Risk factors considered by the Company in completing this analysis include: (1) unemployment and economic trends in the Company’s markets, (2) concentrations of credit, if any, among any industries, (3) trends in loan growth, loan mix, delinquencies, losses or credit impairment, (4) adherence to lending policies and others. Each risk factor is designated as low, moderate/increasing, or high based on the Company’s assessment of the risk of loss associated with each factor. Each risk factor is then weighted to consider inherent risk in the portfolio.

Additionally, all commercial loans within the portfolio are subject to internal risk grading. Risk grades are generally assigned by the primary lending officer and are periodically evaluated by the Company’s internal loan review process. Based on an individual loan’s risk grade, estimated loss percentages are applied to the outstanding balance of the loan to determine the amount of probable loss.

Bank Owned Life Insurance Policy [Policy Text Block]

Bank Owned Life Insurance: The Company has purchased life insurance on certain executive officers and employees. The Company receives the cash surrender value of each policy upon its termination or benefits are payable upon the death of the insured. These policies are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their net cash surrender value. Changes in the net cash surrender value are recognized in Bank Owned Life Insurance in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and Equipment: Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of the term of the respective lease or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while improvements that extend the useful life of premises and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the asset.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other Real Estate Owned:  Other real estate owned (“OREO”) is comprised principally of commercial and residential real estate properties obtained in partial or total satisfaction of loan obligations.  OREO acquired in settlement of indebtedness is included in Other Assets at the lower of estimated fair value of the asset, less estimated selling costs or the carrying amount of the loan.  Changes to the value subsequent to transfer are recorded in non-interest expense, along with direct operating expenses.  Gains or losses not previously recognized from sales of OREO are recognized in non-interest expense on the date of the sale. 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and OtherIntangible Assets: Goodwill is the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired.  Goodwill is not amortized.  Intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance, but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability.  Intangible assets with determinable useful lives, such as core deposits, are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

The Company performs an annual review for impairment in the recorded value of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. Goodwill is tested for impairment between the annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that more than likely reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. An indefinite-lived intangible asset is tested for impairment between the annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change indicating that the asset might be impaired.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase:  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold plus accrued interest.  Securities sold primarily consists of U.S. government, federal agency, and municipal securities pledged as collateral under these financing arrangements and cannot be repledged or sold, unless replaced by the secured party.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments: Derivative instruments are carried at fair value in the Company’s financial statements. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument is determined by whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, and further, by the type of hedging relationship. The Company primarily utilizes derivatives with commercial banking customers to facilitate their interest rate management strategies and the changes in fair value of those instruments are recognized in other non-interest income during the period of the change.

Trust Assets

Trust Assets:  Assets held in a fiduciary or agency capacity for customers are not included in the accompanying financial statements since such items are not assets of the Company.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The consolidated provision for income taxes is based upon reported income and expense. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. The income tax effects related to settlements of share-based compensation awards are reported in earnings as an increase (or decrease) to income tax expense. The Company files a consolidated income tax return. The respective subsidiaries generally provide for income taxes on a separate return basis and remit amounts determined to be currently payable to the Parent Company.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to examinations and challenges from federal and state taxing authorities regarding positions taken in returns.  Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination.  These positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority and assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts by the taxing authority.

The Company invests in certain limited partnerships that operate qualified low-income housing tax credit developments.  These investments are considered variable interest entities for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary.  The tax credits are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction in income tax expense.  The unamortized amount of the investments is recorded within Other Assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation: Compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees is based upon the fair value of the award at the date of grant.  The fair value of stock options is estimated utilizing a Black Scholes pricing model, while the fair value of restricted stock awards is based upon the stock price at the date of grant.  Compensation expense is recognized on a straight line basis over the vesting period for options and the respective period for stock awards.

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share: Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, excluding participating securities. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, excluding participating securities, increased by the number of shares of common stock which would be issued assuming the exercise of stock options and other common stock equivalents.

Statements of Cash Flows

Statements of Cash Flows: Cash paid for interest, including interest paid on long-term debt and trust preferred securities, was $24.8 million, $16.4 million, and $13.1 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid $20.8 million, $22.6 million, and $16.3 million, respectively, for income taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted:

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." This standard clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and developed a common revenue standard. The core principle of the standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract or contracts with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The FASB also issued several amendments to the standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10 which clarifies identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance aspects of Topic 606 while retaining the related principles for those areas. In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-13 which reflects the SEC staff announcement that it would not object when certain public business entities (PBEs) elect to use the non-PBE effective dates solely to adopt the new standards on revenue (ASC 606) and leases (ASC 842). The Company adopted these standards effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach, but did not record a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings given the immaterial impact. As part of the adoption, the Company evaluated the terms of the contracts that supported each of the revenue streams that were within the scope of ASU 2014-09 and determined that the adoption did not significantly change the way the Company recognizes revenue from each stream. See Note Twenty Four.

Others

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business." This amendment clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-01 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, "Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost." This amendment requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost and also provides explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting." This amendment provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASU No. 2016-09. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Pending Adoption:

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This standardrequires organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing requirements for leases that were historically classified as operating leases under previous generally accepted accounting principals. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, "Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases." This amendment provides improvements to specific sections of previously issued lease guidance, including a package of three practical expedients regarding the reassessment of prior period leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements." This amendment offers a practical expedient that allows the Company to recognize the prior period balance sheet impacts in the period of adoption and will not require adjustments to the prior period financial statements when adopting ASU No. 2016-02 described above. In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-20, “Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors.” This ASU clarifies sales taxes and other taxes collected from lessees, certain lessor costs, and recognition of variable payments for contracts with lease and nonlease components. These ASUs became effective for the Company for interim and annual periods on January 1, 2019. The Company's evaluation indicates that the adoption of these ASUs had an immaterial impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

CECL

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." This standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments in this update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new current expected credit losses model ("CECL") will apply to the allowance for loan losses, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities, purchased financial assets with credit deterioration and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, "Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses." This amendment clarifies the scope of the guidance in ASU No. 2016-13. These ASUs will become effective for the Company for interim and annual periods on January 1, 2020. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of these ASUs on the Company's financial statements.

Others

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." This amendment simplifies the measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. This ASU will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, "Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities." The amendments in this update shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-08 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." This amendment expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-12 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement." This amendment removes, modifies, and clarifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This ASU will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans." This amendment removes, modifies, and clarifies certain disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans and other post-employment benefit plans. This ASU will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-14 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-17, "Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities." This amendment simplifies the analysis of fees paid to decision makers or service providers in determining variable interest entities. This ASU will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-17 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes." This amendment permits the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815 in addition to the UST, the LIBOR swap rate, the OIS rate based on the Federal Funds Effective Rate, and the SIFMA Municipal Swap Rate. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-12 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.