Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (the “Holding Company”), is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. The Holding Company’s business consists of the operations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, BNB Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank’s operations include its real estate investment trust subsidiary, Bridgehampton Community, Inc.; a financial title insurance subsidiary, Bridge Abstract LLC (“Bridge Abstract”); and an investment services subsidiary, Bridge Financial Services, Inc. (“Bridge Financial Services”). The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the collective results of the Holding Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, which are collectively herein referred to as “we”, “us”, “our” and the “Company.” The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10‑Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. In preparing the interim financial statements, management has made 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 revenue and expense during the reported periods. Such estimates are subject to change in the future as additional information becomes available or previously existing circumstances are modified. Actual future results could differ significantly from those estimates. The annualized results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts, and the related discussion and analysis, to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net income or total stockholders' equity. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Standards Effective in 2019 ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) In February 2016, the FASB amended existing guidance that requires lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The new guidance also requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s leasing arrangements. The Company adopted Topic 842 using the transition approach of applying the new leases standard at the beginning of the period of adoption on January 1, 2019. The new guidance includes a number of optional transition-related practical expedients that must be elected as a package and applied by a reporting entity to all of its leases consistently. The Company has elected to apply the package of practical expedients to all of its existing leases, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification as operating leases in accordance with previous GAAP. The effect of adopting this standard in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets was a $39 million increase in operating right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 13. “Leases” for further details of Leases. ASU 2017‑12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities In August 2017, the FASB provided guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. The amendments also simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. The amendments in the ASU better align an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes in both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. All transition requirements and elections should be applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption. The effect of adoption should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, an entity shall apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year that an entity adopts the amendments in this ASU. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Standards Effective in 2020 ASU 2016‑13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) In June 2016, FASB issued guidance to replace the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables, held to maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments) and net investments in certain leases recognized by a lessor. In addition, the amendments in this ASU require credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on available-for-sale debt securities. For public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer, like the Company, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For calendar year-end SEC filers, like the Company, the standard is effective for March 31, 2020 interim financial statements. For debt securities with other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), the guidance will be applied prospectively. Existing PCI assets will be grandfathered and classified as purchase credit deteriorated (“PCD”) assets at the date of adoption. The asset will be grossed up for the allowance for expected credit losses for all PCD assets at the date of adoption and will continue to recognize the noncredit discount in interest income based on the yield of such assets as of the adoption date. Subsequent changes in expected credit losses will be recorded through the allowance. For all other assets within the scope of CECL, a cumulative-effect adjustment will be recognized in retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company has a cross-functional CECL committee that has assessed data and system needs and is implementing required changes to loss estimation methods under the CECL model. The Company has engaged various third parties to assist in the development of models that it will utilize to calculate CECL estimates, model validation and overall CECL implementation preparedness. The Company expects to review and validate preliminary CECL estimates during the fourth quarter of 2019, based on the current loan portfolio composition and expectations for future economic conditions. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016‑13 in the first quarter of 2020 using the required modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the reporting period. The impact of adoption will be significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of the loans and securities portfolios, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date. ASU 2017‑04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment In January 2017, the FASB amended existing guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments require an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to 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. The amendments also eliminate the requirement for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. The amendments are effective for public business entities that are an SEC filer, like the Company, for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments should be applied prospectively. An entity is required to disclose the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle upon transition in the first annual period when the entity initially adopts the amendments. The adoption of ASU 2017‑04 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. 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 In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 to align 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 an internal-use software license). The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities, like the Company, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this ASU is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2018‑15 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Standards Effective in 2019

ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)

In February 2016, the FASB amended existing guidance that requires lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The new guidance also requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s leasing arrangements. The Company adopted Topic 842 using the transition approach of applying the new leases standard at the beginning of the period of adoption on January 1, 2019. The new guidance includes a number of optional transition-related practical expedients that must be elected as a package and applied by a reporting entity to all of its leases consistently. The Company has elected to apply the package of practical expedients to all of its existing leases, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification as operating leases in accordance with previous GAAP. The effect of adopting this standard in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets was a $39 million increase in operating right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 13. “Leases” for further details of Leases.

ASU 2017‑12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB provided guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. The amendments also simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. The amendments in the ASU better align an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes in both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. All transition requirements and elections should be applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption. The effect of adoption should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, an entity shall apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year that an entity adopts the amendments in this ASU. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Standards Effective in 2020

ASU 2016‑13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)

In June 2016, FASB issued guidance to replace the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables, held to maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments) and net investments in certain leases recognized by a lessor. In addition, the amendments in this ASU require credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on available-for-sale debt securities. For public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer, like the Company, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For calendar year-end SEC filers, like the Company, the standard is effective for March 31, 2020 interim financial statements. For debt securities with other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”), the guidance will be applied prospectively. Existing PCI assets will be grandfathered and classified as purchase credit deteriorated (“PCD”) assets at the date of adoption. The asset will be grossed up for the allowance for expected credit losses for all PCD assets at the date of adoption and will continue to recognize the noncredit discount in interest income based on the yield of such assets as of the adoption date. Subsequent changes in expected credit losses will be recorded through the allowance. For all other assets within the scope of CECL, a cumulative-effect adjustment will be recognized in retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company has a cross-functional CECL committee that has assessed data and system needs and is implementing required changes to loss estimation methods under the CECL model. The Company has engaged various third parties to assist in the development of models that it will utilize to calculate CECL estimates, model validation and overall CECL implementation preparedness. The Company expects to review and validate preliminary CECL estimates during the fourth quarter of 2019, based on the current loan portfolio composition and expectations for future economic conditions. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016‑13 in the first quarter of 2020 using the required modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the reporting period. The impact of adoption will be significantly influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of the loans and securities portfolios, as well as the prevailing economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date.

ASU 2017‑04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB amended existing guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments require an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to 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. The amendments also eliminate the requirement for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. The amendments are effective for public business entities that are an SEC filer, like the Company, for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments should be applied prospectively. An entity is required to disclose the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle upon transition in the first annual period when the entity initially adopts the amendments. The adoption of ASU 2017‑04 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 to align 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 an internal-use software license). The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities, like the Company, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this ASU is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2018‑15 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements