Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation	ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (BancShares) is a financial holding company organized under the laws of Delaware and conducts operations through its banking subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB), which is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. General These consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are presented in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all information and notes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flow activity required in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations have been made. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in BancShares' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Reclassifications In certain instances, amounts reported in prior years' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported cash flows, shareholders' equity or net income. During the third quarter of 2019, the Company identified items in the prior period related to unsettled investment activity that had been reported as cash flows from operating activities and should have been presented as investing activities. The Company corrected the previously presented cash flows for this activity and in doing so, decreased net cash flows from operating activities with an offsetting increase in net cash flows from investing activities. The Company has evaluated the effect of the incorrect presentation, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and concluded that it was immaterial. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates that BancShares considers significant are the allowance for loan and lease losses, fair value measurements, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shared-loss payable, pension plan assumptions, goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes. Share Repurchases During the third quarter of 2019, BancShares repurchased 295,900 shares of Class A common stock for $135.4 million at an average cost per share of $457.50. During the first nine months of 2019, BancShares repurchased a total of 744,400 shares of Class A common stock for $325.9 million at an average cost per share of $437.84. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, BancShares repurchased a total of 125,000 shares of Class A common stock for $58.1 million at an average cost per share of $464.68. All Class A common stock repurchases completed in 2019 and 2018 were consummated under previously approved authorizations. The shares repurchases in the third quarter of 2019 included 50,000 shares of Class A common stock purchased from Ella Ann Holding, as trustee of her revocable trust. Mrs. Holding is the widow of BancShares’ former Executive Vice Chairman, Frank B. Holding, and the mother of Frank B. Holding, Jr. and Hope H. Bryant, BancShares’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, respectively. Pursuant to the existing share purchase authorization, the board’s independent Audit Committee reviewed and approved the repurchase of up to 250,000 shares held by Mrs. Holding on or before April 30, 2020, pursuant to BancShares’ related person transaction policy. Subsequent to quarter-end through October 31, 2019, BancShares repurchased an additional 146,100 shares of Class A common stock for $69.1 million at an average cost per share of $472.94, which included 50,000 shares repurchased from Mrs. Holding. On October 29, 2019, the Board authorized share repurchases of up to 500,000 of BancShares' Class A common stock for the period November 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020. This authority will supersede all previously approved authorities. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) This ASU increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The key difference between prior standards and this ASU is the requirement for lessees to recognize all lease contracts on their balance sheet. This ASU requires lessees to classify leases as either operating or finance leases, which are substantially similar to the previous operating and capital leases classifications. The distinction between these two classifications under the new standard does not relate to balance sheet treatment, but relates to treatment in the statements of income and cash flows. Lessor guidance remains largely unchanged with the exception of how a lessor determines the appropriate lease classification for each lease to better align the lessor guidance with revised lessee classification guidance. We adopted this standard, as of January 1, 2019, using the effective date method that allows for entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date. In addition, we made several policy elections permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification. We determined that most renewal options would not be reasonably determinable in estimating the expected lease term. We made the policy election available under Topic 842 to combine lease and non-lease components and applied this practical expedient to leases in effect prior to the date of adoption. We will continue to apply the practical expedient to all leases entered into going forward. The adoption of the new standard had an impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2019, with the recording of operating Right-of-Use (ROU) assets and operating lease liabilities of $70.7 million and $71.8 million, respectively. The operating lease liability included a $1.1 million fair value adjustment for leases assumed in the acquisition of HomeBancorp, Inc. (HomeBancorp). In addition, at the adoption date we had finance lease ROU assets and finance lease liabilities, previously classified as capital leases, of $9.1 million and $8.3 million, respectively. The Company did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at commencement. The Company has no related party lease agreements. This ASU did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note N in the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures. FASB ASU 2018-15 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include internal-use software license). This ASU requires entities to use the guidance in FASB ASC 350-40, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software, to determine whether to capitalize or expense implementation costs related to the service contract. This ASU also requires entities to (1) expense capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement (2) present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs in the same line item on the income statement as fees associated with the hosting element of the arrangement (3) classify payments for capitalized implementation costs in the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element (4) present the capitalized implementation costs in the same balance sheet line item that a prepayment for the fees associated with the hosting arrangement would be presented. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. BancShares adopted this standard effective July 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. As of September 30, 2019, $3.7 million of deferred implementation costs related to cloud computing arrangements were recorded in other assets. These costs are expensed over the fixed, noncancellable term of the arrangement and are recorded to processing fees paid to third parties, consistent with the line item of the income statement where fees paid for the associated hosted service are recorded. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements FASB ASU 2018-14 - Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by eliminating the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year and adding a requirement to disclose an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. BancShares will adopt all applicable amendments and update the disclosures as appropriate during the first quarter of 2020. FASB ASU 2018-13 - Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by eliminating the requirements to disclose (1) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (2) the policy for timing of transfers between levels and (3) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU also added specific disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for public business entities including the requirement to disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and all interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of the ASU. Entities are permitted to early adopt amendments that remove or modify disclosures and delay the adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. BancShares will adopt all applicable amendments and update the disclosures as appropriate during the first quarter of 2020. FASB ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment This ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This ASU eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative test. This ASU will be effective for BancShares' annual or interim goodwill impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We expect to adopt the guidance for our annual impairment test in fiscal year 2020. BancShares does not anticipate any impact to our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of the adoption. FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments This ASU introduces a new credit loss methodology which requires earlier recognition of credit losses, replacing multiple existing impairment methods in current GAAP, which generally require that a loss be incurred before it is recognized. The amendments in this ASU require loss estimates be determined over the lifetime of the asset and broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit losses. The ASU does not specify a method for measuring expected credit losses and allows an entity to apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the credit loss estimate based on the entity's size, complexity and risk profile. For BancShares, the standard will apply to loans, unfunded loan commitments and debt securities. A cross-functional team co-led by Corporate Finance and Risk Management is in place to implement the new standard. We have completed initial current expected credit losses (CECL) models and accounting interpretations. We continue to refine and test our models, estimation techniques, operational processes and controls to be used in preparing CECL loss estimates and related financial statement disclosures. We have also begun evaluating our debt securities portfolio to determine the impact of adoption of CECL. We expect a significant portion of our securities portfolio to have an expectation of zero losses and therefore have no initial impact at adoption. The CECL calculated losses on the loan portfolio are derived using estimated probability of default and loss given default models based on historical loss experience, borrower characteristics, forecasts of relevant economic conditions and other factors. Bancshares intends to use a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period that incorporates one economic forecast, with a 12-month straight-line reversion period to historical averages. The outstanding loans are bifurcated between commercial and non-commercial portfolios and then further segmented into pools with similar risk characteristics. The commercial portfolio, comprising the majority of Bancshares’ total loans, primarily consists of loans with short contractual maturities that are expected to result in a reduction to the allowance for credit losses. This reduction is expected to be partially offset by an increase in the allowance for credit losses in the non-commercial portfolio given its longer contractual maturities. The Company is still evaluating the credit loss models for purchase credit impaired loans (PCI) to determine the appropriate amount required to be added to the allowance for credit losses. BancShares continues to evaluate the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements but the total magnitude of this impact is still being finalized. The final impact will be dependent on, among other items, loan and debt security portfolio composition and credit quality at the adoption date, as well as economic conditions, financial models used and forecasts in place at that time. Based on current factors, the overall allowance for credit losses is expected to decrease in aggregate, but the magnitude of the change is not anticipated to be material in relation to total assets, retained earnings or regulatory capital. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. BancShares will adopt the guidance in the first quarter of 2020 using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption.

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (BancShares) is a financial holding company organized under the laws of Delaware and conducts operations through its banking subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB), which is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

These consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are presented in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all information and notes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flow activity required in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations have been made. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in BancShares' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In certain instances, amounts reported in prior years' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported cash flows, shareholders' equity or net income.

During the third quarter of 2019, the Company identified items in the prior period related to unsettled investment activity that had been reported as cash flows from operating activities and should have been presented as investing activities. The Company corrected the previously presented cash flows for this activity and in doing so, decreased net cash flows from operating activities with an offsetting increase in net cash flows from investing activities. The Company has evaluated the effect of the incorrect presentation, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and concluded that it was immaterial.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates that BancShares considers significant are the allowance for loan and lease losses, fair value measurements, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shared-loss payable, pension plan assumptions, goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes.

During the third quarter of 2019, BancShares repurchased 295,900 shares of Class A common stock for $135.4 million at an average cost per share of $457.50. During the first nine months of 2019, BancShares repurchased a total of 744,400 shares of Class A common stock for $325.9 million at an average cost per share of $437.84. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, BancShares repurchased a total of 125,000 shares of Class A common stock for $58.1 million at an average cost per share of $464.68. All Class A common stock repurchases completed in 2019 and 2018 were consummated under previously approved authorizations.

The shares repurchases in the third quarter of 2019 included 50,000 shares of Class A common stock purchased from Ella Ann Holding, as trustee of her revocable trust. Mrs. Holding is the widow of BancShares’ former Executive Vice Chairman, Frank B. Holding, and the mother of Frank B. Holding, Jr. and Hope H. Bryant, BancShares’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, respectively. Pursuant to the existing share purchase authorization, the board’s independent Audit Committee reviewed and approved the repurchase of up to 250,000 shares held by Mrs. Holding on or before April 30, 2020, pursuant to BancShares’ related person transaction policy.

This ASU increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The key difference between prior standards and this ASU is the requirement for lessees to recognize all lease contracts on their balance sheet. This ASU requires lessees to classify leases as either operating or finance leases, which are substantially similar to the previous operating and capital leases classifications. The distinction between these two classifications under the new standard does not relate to balance sheet treatment, but relates to treatment in the statements of income and cash flows. Lessor guidance remains largely unchanged with the exception of how a lessor determines the appropriate lease classification for each lease to better align the lessor guidance with revised lessee classification guidance.

We adopted this standard, as of January 1, 2019, using the effective date method that allows for entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date. In addition, we made several policy elections permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification. We determined that most renewal options would not be reasonably determinable in estimating the expected lease term.

We made the policy election available under Topic 842 to combine lease and non-lease components and applied this practical expedient to leases in effect prior to the date of adoption. We will continue to apply the practical expedient to all leases entered into going forward.

The adoption of the new standard had an impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2019, with the recording of operating Right-of-Use (ROU) assets and operating lease liabilities of $70.7 million and $71.8 million, respectively. The operating lease liability included a $1.1 million fair value adjustment for leases assumed in the acquisition of HomeBancorp, Inc. (HomeBancorp). In addition, at the adoption date we had finance lease ROU assets and finance lease liabilities, previously classified as capital leases, of $9.1 million and $8.3 million, respectively. The Company did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at commencement. The Company has no related party lease agreements. This ASU did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note N in the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures.

This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include internal-use software license). This ASU requires entities to use the guidance in FASB ASC 350-40, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software, to determine whether to capitalize or expense implementation costs related to the service contract. This ASU also requires entities to (1) expense capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement (2) present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs in the same line item on the income statement as fees associated with the hosting element of the arrangement (3) classify payments for capitalized implementation costs in the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element (4) present the capitalized implementation costs in the same balance sheet line item that a prepayment for the fees associated with the hosting arrangement would be presented.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. BancShares adopted this standard effective July 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. As of September 30, 2019, $3.7 million of deferred implementation costs related to cloud computing arrangements were recorded in other assets. These costs are expensed over the fixed, noncancellable term of the arrangement and are recorded to processing fees paid to third parties, consistent with the line item of the income statement where fees paid for the associated hosted service are recorded.

This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by eliminating the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year and adding a requirement to disclose an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for public entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. BancShares will adopt all applicable amendments and update the disclosures as appropriate during the first quarter of 2020.

This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by eliminating the requirements to disclose (1) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (2) the policy for timing of transfers between levels and (3) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU also added specific disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for public business entities including the requirement to disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and all interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of the ASU. Entities are permitted to early adopt amendments that remove or modify disclosures and delay the adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. BancShares will adopt all applicable amendments and update the disclosures as appropriate during the first quarter of 2020.

This ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This ASU eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative test.

This ASU will be effective for BancShares' annual or interim goodwill impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We expect to adopt the guidance for our annual impairment test in fiscal year 2020. BancShares does not anticipate any impact to our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of the adoption.

This ASU introduces a new credit loss methodology which requires earlier recognition of credit losses, replacing multiple existing impairment methods in current GAAP, which generally require that a loss be incurred before it is recognized. The amendments in this ASU require loss estimates be determined over the lifetime of the asset and broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit losses. The ASU does not specify a method for measuring expected credit losses and allows an entity to apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the credit loss estimate based on the entity's size, complexity and risk profile.

For BancShares, the standard will apply to loans, unfunded loan commitments and debt securities. A cross-functional team co-led by Corporate Finance and Risk Management is in place to implement the new standard. We have completed initial current expected credit losses (CECL) models and accounting interpretations. We continue to refine and test our models, estimation techniques, operational processes and controls to be used in preparing CECL loss estimates and related financial statement disclosures. We have also begun evaluating our debt securities portfolio to determine the impact of adoption of CECL. We expect a significant portion of our securities portfolio to have an expectation of zero losses and therefore have no initial impact at adoption.

The CECL calculated losses on the loan portfolio are derived using estimated probability of default and loss given default models based on historical loss experience, borrower characteristics, forecasts of relevant economic conditions and other factors. Bancshares intends to use a two-year reasonable and supportable forecast period that incorporates one economic forecast, with a 12-month straight-line reversion period to historical averages. The outstanding loans are bifurcated between commercial and non-commercial portfolios and then further segmented into pools with similar risk characteristics. The commercial portfolio, comprising the majority of Bancshares’ total loans, primarily consists of loans with short contractual maturities that are expected to result in a reduction to the allowance for credit losses. This reduction is expected to be partially offset by an increase in the allowance for credit losses in the non-commercial portfolio given its longer contractual maturities. The Company is still evaluating the credit loss models for purchase credit impaired loans (PCI) to determine the appropriate amount required to be added to the allowance for credit losses.

BancShares continues to evaluate the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements but the total magnitude of this impact is still being finalized. The final impact will be dependent on, among other items, loan and debt security portfolio composition and credit quality at the adoption date, as well as economic conditions, financial models used and forecasts in place at that time. Based on current factors, the overall allowance for credit losses is expected to decrease in aggregate, but the magnitude of the change is not anticipated to be material in relation to total assets, retained earnings or regulatory capital.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. BancShares will adopt the guidance in the first quarter of 2020 using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption.