10-Q

UNITED STATES

securities and exchange commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

form 10-q

(Mark One)

[ X ] quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

OR

[    ] transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15 (d) of the SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  to

Commission file number 001-31830

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	95-4274680
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation  or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer  Identification No.)

777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California	90012
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (213) 625-4700

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                                  Yes ☑          No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).           Yes ☑          No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer   ☑                                                                                         Accelerated filer  ☐    

Non-accelerated filer   ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)        Smaller reporting company☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                                       Yes ☐          No ☑

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common stock, $.01 par value, 81,003,089 shares outstanding as of October 30, 2015.

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARies

3^RD quarter 2015 REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

table of contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION		3
Item 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)	3
	NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)	6
Item 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.	37
Item 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	61
Item 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.	62
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION		63
Item 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.	63
Item 1A	RISK FACTORS.	64
Item 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.	64
Item 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.	65
Item 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.	65
Item 5.	OTHER INFORMATION.	65
Item 6.	EXHIBITS.	65
SIGNATURES		66

Forward-Looking Statements

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the term “Bancorp” refers to Cathay General Bancorp and the term “Bank” refers to Cathay Bank. The terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Bancorp and the Bank collectively.

The statements in this report include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding management’s beliefs, projections, and assumptions concerning future results and events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provision for forward-looking statements in these provisions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including statements about anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, growth opportunities and growth rates, growth plans, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, business prospects, strategic alternatives, business strategies, financial expectations, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, financing needs and availability, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “hopes,” “intends,” “may,” “optimistic,” “plans,” “potential,” “possible,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by us are based on estimates, beliefs, projections, and assumptions of management and are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from:

● U.S. and international business and economic conditions;

● possible additional provisions for loan losses and charge-offs;

● credit risks of lending activities and deterioration in asset or credit quality;

● extensive laws and regulations and supervision that we are subject to, including potential supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities;

● increased costs of compliance and other risks associated with changes in regulation, including the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”);

● higher capital requirements from the implementation of the Basel III capital standards;

● compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other money laundering statutes and regulations;

● potential goodwill impairment;

● liquidity risk;

● fluctuations in interest rates;

● risks associated with acquisitions and the expansion of our business into new markets;

● inflation and deflation;

● real estate market conditions and the value of real estate collateral;

● environmental liabilities;

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● our ability to compete with larger competitors;

● our ability to retain key personnel;

● successful management of reputational risk;

● natural disasters and geopolitical events;

● general economic or business conditions in Asia, and other regions where the Bank has operations;

● failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems;

● our ability to adapt our systems to technological changes;

● risk management processes and strategies;

● adverse results in legal proceedings;

● certain provisions in our charter and bylaws that may affect acquisition of the Company;

● changes in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations;

● market disruption and volatility;

● restrictions on dividends and other distributions by laws and regulations and by our regulators and our capital structure;

● issuance of preferred stock;

● successfully raising additional capital, if needed, and the resulting dilution of interests of holders of our common stock; and

● the soundness of other financial institutions.

These and other factors are further described in Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Item 1A in particular), other reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and other filings it makes with the SEC from time to time. Actual results in any future period may also vary from the past results discussed in this report. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak to the date of this report. We have no intention and undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to publicly announce any revision of any forward-looking statement to reflect future developments or events, except as required by law.

Bancorp’s filings with the SEC are available at the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or by request directed to Cathay General Bancorp, 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731, Attention: Investor Relations (626) 279-3286.

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	196,342		$	176,830
Short-term investments and interest bearing deposits		369,829			489,614
Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $1,378,088 in 2015 and $1,324,408 in 2014)		1,380,879			1,318,935
Loans held for sale					973
Loans		10,039,932			8,914,080
Less:  Allowance for loan losses		(150,076	)		(161,420	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees, net		(9,592	)		(12,392	)
Loans, net		9,880,264			8,740,268
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250			30,785
Other real estate owned, net		26,326			31,477
Affordable housing investmentsn and alternative energy partnerships, net		168,276			104,579
Premises and equipment, net		110,272			99,682
Customers’ liability on acceptances		35,087			35,656
Accrued interest receivable		29,418			25,364
Goodwill		373,208			316,340
Other intangible assets, net		4,108			3,237
Other assets		158,706			143,106
Total assets	$	12,749,965		$	11,516,846
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,978,387		$	1,664,914
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW deposits		901,084			778,691
Money market deposits		1,685,943			1,538,187
Savings deposits		596,651			533,940
Time deposits		5,076,410			4,267,728
Total deposits		10,238,475			8,783,460
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		400,000			450,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank		75,000			425,000
Other borrowings for affordable housing investments		18,721			19,934
Long-term debt		119,136			119,136
Acceptances outstanding		35,087			35,656
Other liabilities		131,460			80,772
Total liabilities		11,017,879			9,913,958
Commitments and contingencies		-			-
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 86,916,637 issued and 81,001,822 outstanding at September 30, 2015, and 84,022,118 issued and 79,814,553 outstanding at December 31, 2014		869			840
Additional paid-in-capital		877,445			789,519
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(2,597	)		(5,569	)
Retained earnings		1,032,806			943,834
Treasury stock, at cost (5,914,815 shares at September 30, 2015, and 4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2014)		(176,437	)		(125,736	)
Total equity		1,732,086			1,602,888
Total liabilities and equity	$	12,749,965		$	11,516,846

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Interest and Dividend Income
Loans receivable, including loan fees	$	109,943		$	100,151		$	315,038		$	290,337
Investment securities		6,142			5,105			15,262			19,389
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		524			508			2,782			1,379
Deposits with banks		258			571			1,105			1,499
Total interest and dividend income		116,867			106,335			334,187			312,604
Interest Expense
Time deposits		10,407			9,117			28,321			26,155
Other deposits		3,217			2,995			9,010			7,826
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		3,977			5,858			11,836			19,731
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		164			153			374			849
Long-term debt		1,456			1,456			4,320			3,012
Short-term borrowings					1			-			1
Total interest expense		19,221			19,580			53,861			57,574
Net interest income before reversal for credit losses		97,646			86,755			280,326			255,030
Reversal for loan losses		(1,250	)		(5,100	)		(8,400	)		(8,800	)
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses		98,896			91,855			288,726			263,830
Non-Interest Income
Securities (losses)/gains, net		(16	)		361			(3,369	)		6,827
Letters of credit commissions		1,455			1,559			4,114			4,547
Depository service fees		1,409			1,330			4,003			3,999
Other operating income		6,308			5,724			18,576			17,181
Total non-interest income		9,156			8,974			23,324			32,554
Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits		20,725			22,630			67,804			69,472
Occupancy expense		4,412			3,934			12,419			11,692
Computer and equipment expense		3,893			2,471			8,783			7,307
Professional services expense		5,687			5,991			17,230			16,410
FDIC and State assessments		2,403			2,261			6,907			6,692
Marketing expense		1,436			639			3,577			2,722
Other real estate owned expense/(income)		250			(1,011	)		(1,053	)		(629	)
Amortization of investments in low income housing and alternative energy partnerships		15,427			1,672			23,277			5,126
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		169			214			493			510
Costs associated with debt redemption		-			527			-			3,348
Other operating expense		3,069			3,279			9,750			10,538
Total non-interest expense		57,471			42,607			149,187			133,188
Income before income tax expense		50,581			58,222			162,863			163,196
Income tax expense		12,098			22,313			43,200			60,944
Net income	$	38,483			35,909			119,663			102,252
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Unrealized holding gain on securities available-for-sale		2,733			170			2,837			25,014
Less: reclassification adjustments included in net income		(10	)		209			(1,953	)		3,957
Unrealized holding (loss)/gain on cash flow hedge derivatives		(2,558	)		100			(1,818	)		(163	)
Total other comprehensive gain, net of tax		185			61			2,972			20,894
Total comprehensive income	$	38,668		$	35,970		$	122,635		$	123,146
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.47		$	0.45		$	1.49		$	1.28
Diluted	$	0.47		$	0.45		$	1.48		$	1.28
Cash dividends paid per common share	$	0.14		$	0.07		$	0.38		$	0.19
Average common shares outstanding
Basic		81,475,288			79,677,952			80,422,711			79,639,202
Diluted		82,285,478			80,176,100			81,105,190			80,087,819

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended September 30
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$	119,663		$	102,252
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Credit for loan losses		(8,400	)		(8,800	)
Provision for losses on other real estate owned		547			1,693
Deferred tax liability		14,327			13,846
Depreciation and amortization		22,330			5,911
Net gains on sale and transfer of other real estate owned		(2,006	)		(3,467	)
Net gains on sale of loans		(845	)		(300	)
Proceeds from sales of loans		28,507			15,791
Originations of loans held-for-sale		(26,689	)		(15,491	)
Income associated with debt redemption		-			(550	)
Write-downs on venture capital investments		408			317
Write-downs on impaired securities		3,875			820
Net gains on sales and calls of securities		(506	)		(7,647	)
Amortization/accretion of security premiums/discounts, net		3,542			2,266
Loss on sales or disposal of fixed assets		138			-
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements		5,602			1,177
Stock based compensation and stock issued to officers as compensation		3,923			2,948
Net change in accrued interest receivable and other assets		(30,929	)		1,691
Net change in other liabilities		(9,432	)		(8,377	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		124,055			104,080
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Decrease/(increase) in short-term investments		119,785			(75,873	)
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale		(1,323,149	)		(892,706	)
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale		1,033,195			543,305
Proceeds from repayments, maturities and calls of investment securities available-for-sale		232,253			640,478
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock		-			(17,736	)
Redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock		13,535			8,646
Net increase in loans		(702,595	)		(763,211	)
Purchase of premises and equipment		(2,628	)		(4,036	)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned		10,524			28,543
Investment in affordable housing & alternative energy partnerships		(46,349	)		(5,617	)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired		6,572			-
Net cash used in investing activities		(658,857	)		(538,207	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase in deposits		1,034,442			713,362
Net decrease in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(50,000	)		(250,000	)
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		4,842,000			8,252,400
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		(5,192,000	)		(8,218,600	)
Cash dividends paid		(30,690	)		(15,133	)
Pruchase of treasury stock		(50,701	)		-
Repurchase of trust preferred securities		-			(1,450	)
Proceeds from shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Plan		3,636			1,554
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		3,433			-
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of RSUs		(204	)		(274	)
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements		(5,602	)		(1,177	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		554,314			480,682
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		19,512			46,555
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		176,830			153,747
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	196,342		$	200,302
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period:
Interest	$	52,614		$	59,478
Income taxes paid	$	67,776		$	52,864
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Net change in unrealized holding gain on securities available-for-sale, net of tax	$	4,790		$	21,057
Net change in unrealized holding loss on cash flow hedge derivatives	$	(1,818	)	$	(163	)
Transfers of investment securities to available-for-sale from other assets	$	520			-
Transfers of trading securities to short-term investments	$	-		$	4,936
Transfers to other real estate owned from loans held for investment	$	3,914		$	2,810
Issuance of stock related to acquisition	$	82,857		$	-

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1. Business

Cathay General Bancorp (“Bancorp”) is the holding company for Cathay Bank (the “Bank” and, together, the “Company”), seven limited partnerships investing in affordable housing investments in which the Bank is the sole limited partner, and GBC Venture Capital, Inc. Bancorp also owns 100% of the common stock of five statutory business trusts created for the purpose of issuing capital securities. The Bank was founded in 1962 and offers a wide range of financial services. As of September 30, 2015, the Bank operated 21 branches in Southern California, 12 branches in Northern California, 12 branches in New York State, three branches in Illinois, three branches in Washington State, two branches in Texas, one branch in Massachusetts, one branch in New Jersey, one branch in Maryland, one branch in Nevada, one branch in Hong Kong, and a representative office in Shanghai and in Taipei. Deposit accounts at the Hong Kong branch are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

2. Acquisition

On July 31, 2015 the Company completed the acquisition of New York-based Asia Bancshares, Inc., parent of Asia Bank. Asia Bank operated three branch locations in New York City and one branch location in the state of Maryland. The acquisition allowed the Company to expand its number of branches in New York City and to enter the state of Maryland. The purchase consideration consisted of fifty-five percent in Bancorp stock and forty-five percent in cash. The fair value of the consideration was $139.9 million, which consisted of 2,580,359 shares of Bancorp common stock valued at $82.9 million at the date of acquisition and $57.0 million in cash.

Goodwill from the acquisition represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes. As a result of the business combination, the Company recorded goodwill of $56.9 million.

The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the July 31, 2015 acquisition date. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. We have included the financial results of the business combinations in the condensed consolidated statement of income beginning on the acquisition date.

6

The fair value of the assets and the liabilities acquired as of July 31, 2015 are shown below:

	Asia Bancshares, Inc
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	63,579
Securities available-for-sale		2,370
Loans		417,570
Premises and equipment		13,291
Other real estate owned		3,048
Goodwill		56,867
Core deposit intangible		1,302
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		3,515
Total assets acquired		561,542
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits		420,623
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		1,056
Total liabilities assumed		421,679
Net assets acquired	$	139,863
Cash paid	$	57,006
Fair value of common stock issued		82,857
Total consideration paid	$	139,863

3. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates subject to change are the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment, and other-than-temporary impairment.

4. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” ASU No. 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. An entity should recognize compensation cost in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. ASU 2014-12 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern," issued by the FASB in August 2014, requires an entity’s management to evaluate and disclose conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.  In addition, an entity’s management is to disclose management’s plans that alleviated or that are intended to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.  ASU 2014-15 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016.  Adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” to improve targeted areas of the consolidation guidance and reduce the number of consolidation models. The Company may either apply the amendments retrospectively or use a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30).” This update simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, which would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratable over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-03 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015.  Adoption of ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments.” This update simplifies the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. Those adjustments will be recognized to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An entity is required to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015.  Adoption of ASU 2015-16 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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5. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock and resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in earnings.

Outstanding stock options with anti-dilutive effect were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. The following table sets forth earnings per common share calculations:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income	$	38,483	$	35,909	$	119,663	$	102,252
Weighted-average shares:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		81,475,288		79,677,952		80,422,711		79,639,202
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Warrants		606,803		346,101		507,002		306,306
Options		123,910		109,803		124,135		103,022
Restricted stock units		79,477		42,244		51,343		39,289
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		82,285,478		80,176,100		81,105,191		80,087,819
Average stock options and warrants with anti-dilutive effect		760,291		1,990,358		1,082,400		1,993,384
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.47	$	0.45	$	1.49	$	1.28
Diluted	$	0.47	$	0.45	$	1.48	$	1.28

6. Stock-Based Compensation

Under the Company’s equity incentive plans, directors and eligible employees may be granted incentive or non-statutory stock options and/or restricted stock units, or awarded non-vested stock.As of September 30, 2015, the only options granted by the Company were non-statutory stock options to selected Bank officers and non-employee directors at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Such options have a maximum ten-year term and vest in 20% annual increments (subject to early termination in certain events) except certain options granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2005 and 2008. There were no options granted during the first nine months of 2015 or during 2014.

9

Option compensation expense was zero for the three months and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014. Stock-based compensation was fully recognized over the requisite service period for all awards. Stock options covering 147,350 shares were exercised in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to zero in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash received totaled $3.4 million and the aggregate intrinsic value totaled $1.3 million from the exercise of stock options during the first nine months ended September 30, 2015. The table below summarizes stock option activity for the periods indicated:

	Shares			Weighted-average Exercise Price		Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014		2,332,904		$	32.34		1.2	$	1,388
Exercised		(3,750	)		23.37
Forfeited		(808,670	)		35.63
Balance, March 31, 2015		1,520,484		$	30.62		1.6	$	3,156
Exercised		(69,600	)		23.37
Forfeited		(267,884	)		33.99
Balance, June 30, 2015		1,183,000		$	30.37		1.5	$	5,010
Exercised		(74,000	)		23.37
Forfeited		(10,600	)		36.56
Balance, September 30, 2015		1,098,400		$	30.79		1.2	$	3,148
Exercisable, September 30, 2015		1,098,400		$	30.79		1.2	$	3,148

In addition to stock options, the Company also grants restricted stock units to eligible employees which vest subject to continued employment at the vesting dates.

The Company granted restricted stock units for 72,900 shares at an average closing price of $28.11 per share in the first nine months of 2015 compared to 17,601 shares at an average closing price of $24.66 per share in 2014. The restricted stock units granted are scheduled to vest two years from grant date for 2014 grants and to vest three years from grant date for 2015 grants.

The Company granted performance share unit awards in which the number of units earned is calculated based on the relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company’s common stock as compared to the TSR of the KBW Regional Banking Index. In addition, the Company granted performance share unit awards in which the number of units earned is determined by comparison to the targeted EPS as defined in the award for the next three years. In December 2014, the Company granted performance TSR restricted stock units for 60,456 shares and performance EPS restricted stock units for 57,642 shares to six executive officers. Both the performance TSR and performance EPS units awarded in 2014 are scheduled to vest at December 31, 2017.

The following table presents restricted stock unit activity from December 31, 2014, to September 30, 2015:

	Units
Balance at December 31, 2014		386,465
Granted		72,900
Vested		(24,892	)
Forfeited		(7,846	)
Balance at September 30, 2015		426,627

10

The compensation expense recorded for restricted stock units was $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.0 million in the same period a year ago. For the nine months ended September 30, compensation expense recorded related to the restricted stock units was $3.4 million in 2015 and $2.9 million in 2014. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units was $5.2 million at September 30, 2015, and is expected to be recognized over the next 2.0 years.

At September 30, 2015, 3,358,201 shares were available under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan (as Amended and Restated) for future grants.

The following table summarizes the tax benefit (short-fall) from share-based payment arrangements:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015			2014
Tax benefit/(short-fall) of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value	$	17	$	-	$	(5,602	)	$	(1,177	)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value		275		-		6,421			1,177
Total benefit of tax deductions	$	292	$	-	$	819		$	-

7. Investment Securities

Investment securities were $1.38 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.32 billion at December 31, 2014. The following tables reflect the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair value of investment securities as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	284,603	$	388	$	-	$	284,991
Mortgage-backed securities		1,005,527		1,066		2,195		1,004,398
Collateralized mortgage obligations		67		-		29		38
Corporate debt securities		74,952		370		1,492		73,830
Mutual funds		6,000		-		101		5,899
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		2,811		1,706		-		4,517
Other equity securities		4,128		3,403		325		7,206
Total	$	1,378,088	$	6,933	$	4,142	$	1,380,879

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	December 31, 2014
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	664,206	$	63	$	265	$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities		549,296		1,393		6,386		544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations		79		-		34		45
Corporate debt securities		94,943		776		1,247		94,472
Mutual funds		6,000		-		134		5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		6,276		681		3,733		3,224
Other equity securities		3,608		3,413		-		7,021
Total	$	1,324,408	$	6,326	$	11,799	$	1,318,935

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at September 30, 2015, by contractual maturities, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or repayment penalties.  

	Securities Available-For-Sale
	Amortized cost		Fair value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	184,935	$	185,127
Due after one year through five years		136,610		137,407
Due after five years through ten years		45,546		44,172
Due after ten years (1)		1,010,997		1,014,173
Total	$	1,378,088	$	1,380,879

(1) Equity securities are reported in this category

Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities were $648.0 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $458.4 million during the same period a year ago. Proceeds from repayments, maturities and calls of mortgage-backed securities were $67.3 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $54.7 million during the same period a year ago. Proceeds from sales of other investment securities were $385.2 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $84.9 million during the same period a year ago. Proceeds from maturities and calls of other investment securities were $165.0 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $585.8 million during the same period a year ago. Gains of $2.4 million and losses of $1.9 million were realized on sales of investment securities during the first nine months of 2015 compared to gains of $17.1 million and losses of $9.5 million realized during the same period a year ago.

12

The tables below show the fair value and unrealized losses of the temporarily impaired securities in our investment securities portfolio as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
	Temporarily impaired securities
	Less than 12 months				12 months or longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
Mortgage-backed securities	$	703,710	$	2,194	$	7	$	1	$	703,717	$	2,195
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		-		38		29		38		29
Corporate debt securities		9,950		50		43,558		1,442		53,508		1,492
Mutual funds		-		-		5,899		101		5,899		101
Other equity securities		175		325		-		-		175		325
Total	$	713,835	$	2,569	$	49,502	$	1,573	$	763,337	$	4,142

	December 31, 2014
	Temporarily impaired securities
	Less than 12 months				12 months or longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	374,153	$	265	$	-	$	-	$	374,153	$	265
Mortgage-backed securities		-		-		425,090		6,386		425,090		6,386
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		-		45		34		45		34
Corporate debt securities		-		-		63,753		1,247		63,753		1,247
Mutual funds		-		-		5,866		134		5,866		134
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		2,448		3,733		-		-		2,448		3,733
Total	$	376,601	$	3,998	$	494,754	$	7,801	$	871,355	$	11,799

Total unrealized losses of $4.1 million at September 30, 2015, were primarily caused by increases in interest rates subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased or caused by the widening of credit and liquidity spreads since the dates of acquisition. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuers to settle the security at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment.

At September 30, 2015, management believed the impairment was temporary and, accordingly, no impairment loss on debt securities has been recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company expects to recover the amortized cost basis of its debt securities, and has no intent to sell and will not be required to sell available-for-sale debt securities that have declined below their cost before their anticipated recovery.

Investment securities having a carrying value of $457.0 million at September 30, 2015, and $591.3 million at December 31, 2014, were pledged to secure public deposits, other borrowings, treasury tax and loan, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. 

13

8. Loans

Most of the Company’s business activity is with Asian customers located in Southern and Northern California; New York City, New York; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Edison, New Jersey; Rockville, Maryland; Las Vegas, Nevada, and Hong Kong. The Company has no specific industry concentration, and generally its loans are secured by real property or other collateral of the borrowers. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, from refinancing by other lenders, or through sale by the borrowers of the secured collateral.

The types of loans in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, were as follows:

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	2,362,059		$	2,382,493
Residential mortgage loans		1,816,464			1,570,059
Commercial mortgage loans		5,275,570			4,486,443
Equity lines		174,790			172,879
Real estate construction loans		405,278			298,654
Installment and other loans		5,771			3,552
Gross loans	$	10,039,932		$	8,914,080
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(150,076	)		(161,420	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(9,592	)		(12,392	)
Total loans, net	$	9,880,264		$	8,740,268
Loans held for sale	$	-		$	973

At September 30, 2015, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $161.1 million and was comprised of non-accrual loans of $71.2 million and accruing troubled debt restructured loans (“TDRs) of $89.9 million. At December 31, 2014, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $174.5 million and was comprised of non-accrual loans of $70.2 million and accruing TDRs of $104.3 million. For impaired loans, the amounts previously charged off represent 18.9% at September 30, 2015, and 17.1% at December 31, 2014, of the contractual balances for impaired loans. The following table presents the average balance and interest income recognized related to impaired loans for the periods indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	Average Recorded Investment								Interest Income Recognized
	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	23,894	$	21,706	$	24,974	$	26,741	$	170	$	205	$	519	$	636
Real estate construction loans		22,392		33,276		22,056		33,459		66		66		196		198
Commercial mortgage loans		97,557		119,611		104,508		114,663		777		1,153		2,126		3,310
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		16,506		16,151		16,934		17,889		139		128		380		363
Total impaired loans	$	160,349	$	190,744	$	168,472	$	192,752	$	1,152	$	1,552	$	3,221	$	4,507

14

The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance for credit losses as of the dates indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(In thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	15,425	$	14,397	$	-	$	19,479	$	18,452	$	-
Real estate construction loans		48,495		22,292		-		32,924		17,025		-
Commercial mortgage loans		73,980		68,680		-		77,474		75,172		-
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		2,450		2,450		-		2,518		2,518		-
Subtotal	$	140,350	$	107,819	$	-	$	132,395	$	113,167	$	-
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	16,629	$	13,233	$	7,561	$	7,003	$	5,037	$	1,263
Real estate construction loans		-		-		-		19,006		8,703		1,077
Commercial mortgage loans		27,526		26,339		6,389		38,197		34,022		8,993
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		14,210		13,731		373		14,019		13,590		465
Subtotal	$	58,365	$	53,303	$	14,323	$	78,225	$	61,352	$	11,798
Total impaired loans	$	198,715	$	161,122	$	14,323	$	210,620	$	174,519	$	11,798

The following tables present the aging of the loan portfolio by type as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	5,865	$	3,896	$	-	$	14,758	$	24,519	$	2,337,540	$	2,362,059
Real estate construction loans		-		-		-		16,579		16,579		388,699		405,278
Commercial mortgage loans		1,114		241		2,573		33,214		37,142		5,238,428		5,275,570
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		95		511		-		6,690		7,296		1,983,958		1,991,254
Installment and other loans		-		-		-		-		-		5,771		5,771
Total loans	$	7,074	$	4,648	$	2,573	$	71,241	$	85,536	$	9,954,396	$	10,039,932

	December 31, 2014
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	11,595	$	1,238	$	-	$	6,983	$	19,816	$	2,362,677	$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans		1,416		-		-		19,963		21,379		277,275		298,654
Commercial mortgage loans		17,654		3,909		-		35,606		57,169		4,429,274		4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5,634		732		-		7,611		13,977		1,728,961		1,742,938
Installment and other loans		60		-		-		-		60		3,492		3,552
Total loans	$	36,359	$	5,879	$	-	$	70,163	$	112,401	$	8,801,679	$	8,914,080

The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses for impaired loans is based on management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectability when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. This allowance evaluation process is also applied to troubled debt restructurings since they are considered to be impaired loans.

15

A troubled debt restructuring is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the lender, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including a change in the stated interest rate, a reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, or an extension of the maturity date that causes significant delay in payment.

TDRs on accrual status are comprised of the loans that have, pursuant to the Bank’s policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves.

At September 30, 2015, accruing TDRs were $89.9 million and non-accrual TDRs were $41.8 million compared to accruing TDRs of $104.3 million and non-accrual TDRs of $41.6 million at December 31, 2014. The Company allocated specific reserves of $1.1 million to accruing TDRs and $5.5 million to non-accrual TDRs at September 30, 2015, and $6.5 million to accruing TDRs and $4.9 million to non-accrual TDRs at December 31, 2014. The following tables present TDRs that were modified during the first nine months of 2015 and of 2014, their specific reserves at September 30, 2015, and 2014, and charge-offs during the first nine months of 2015 and of 2014:

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015								September 30, 2015
	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Charge-offs		Specific Reserve
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		3	$	1,156	$	1,156	$	-	$	1
Commercial mortgage loans		19		16,329		16,329		-		38
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5		1,522		1,374		148		45
Total		27	$	19,007	$	18,859	$	148	$	84

	Nine months ended September 30, 2014								September 30, 2014
	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Charge-offs		Specific Reserve
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		6	$	10,773	$	10,773	$	-	$	26
Commercial mortgage loans		3		11,818		11,818		-		564
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5		2,226		2,226		-		16
Total		14	$	24,817	$	24,817	$	-	$	606

16

Modifications of the loan terms during the first nine months of 2015 were in the form of changes in the stated interest rate, and/or extension of maturity dates, and/or reduction in monthly payment amount. The length of time for which modifications involving a reduction of the stated interest rate or changes in payment terms that were documented ranged from six months to three years from the modification date. 

We expect that the TDRs on accruing status as of September 30, 2015, which were all performing in accordance with their restructured terms, will continue to comply with the restructured terms because of the reduced principal or interest payments on these loans.  A summary of TDRs by type of concession and by type of loan, as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, is shown below:

	September 30, 2015
Accruing TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	11,010	$	-	$	1,862	$	12,872
Real estate construction loans		-		-		5,713		5,713
Commercial mortgage loans		21,700		6,064		34,041		61,805
Residential mortgage loans		5,248		1,001		3,242		9,491
Total accruing TDRs	$	37,958	$	7,065	$	44,858	$	89,881

	September 30, 2015
Non-accrual TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,248	$	90	$	2,338
Real estate construction loans		10,172		5,907		16,079
Commercial mortgage loans		1,555		20,725		22,280
Residential mortgage loans		397		712		1,109
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	14,372	$	27,434	$	41,806

	December 31, 2014
Accruing TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
Commercial loans	$	11,572	$	-	$	-	$	4,934	$	16,506
Real estate construction loans		5,765		-		-		-		5,765
Commercial mortgage loans		20,543		26,694		-		26,351		73,588
Residential mortgage loans		3,316		-		410		4,771		8,497
Total accruing TDRs	$	41,196	$	26,694	$	410	$	36,056	$	104,356

17

	December 31, 2014
Non-accrual TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,423	$	860	$	1,269	$	3,552
Real estate construction loans		-		-		19,462		19,462
Commercial mortgage loans		15,917		-		973		16,890
Residential mortgage loans		1,026		-		688		1,714
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	18,366	$	860	$	22,392	$	41,618

The activity within our TDRs for the periods indicated are shown below:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
Accruing TDRs	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	100,011		$	111,136		$	104,355		$	117,597
New restructurings		427			14,900			16,853			22,997
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		723			660			723			1,622
Charge-offs		-			-			(148	)		-
Payments		(11,280	)		(3,607	)		(21,714	)		(11,897	)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		-			-			(10,188	)		(7,230	)
Ending balance	$	89,881		$	123,089		$	89,881		$	123,089

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
Non-accrual TDRs	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	42,595		$	43,605		$	41,618		$	38,769
New restructurings		1,796			34			2,006			1,820
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		-			-			10,188			7,230
Charge-offs		(3	)		(234	)		(3,246	)		(833	)
Payments		(1,859	)		(8,583	)		(8,037	)		(11,202	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		(723	)		(660	)		(723	)		(1,622	)
Ending balance	$	41,806		$	34,162		$	41,806		$	34,162

A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 60 to 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms.  The Company did not have any loans that were modified as a TDR during the previous twelve months and which subsequently defaulted as of September 30, 2015. 

Under the Company’s internal underwriting policy, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification in order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty.

As of September 30, 2015, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to those borrowers whose loans had been restructured, were considered impaired, or were on non-accrual status.

18

As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, the Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each loan. The risk rating categories can be generally described by the following grouping for non-homogeneous loans: 

● Pass/Watch – These loans range from minimal credit risk to lower than average, but still acceptable, credit risk.

● Special Mention – Borrower is fundamentally sound and loan is currently protected but adverse trends are apparent that, if not corrected, may affect ability to repay. Primary source of loan repayment remains viable but there is increasing reliance on collateral or guarantor support.

● Substandard– These loans are inadequately protected by current sound net worth, paying capacity, or collateral. Well-defined weaknesses exist that could jeopardize repayment of debt. Loss may not be imminent, but if weaknesses are not corrected, there is a good possibility of some loss.

● Doubtful – The possibility of loss is extremely high, but due to identifiable and important pending events (which may strengthen the loan), a loss classification is deferred until the situation is better defined.

● Loss – These loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that to continue to carry the loan as an active asset is no longer warranted.

19

The Company had no loans held for sale as of September 30, 2015. The following tables present the loan portfolio by risk rating as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,201,557	$	92,219	$	67,025	$	1,258	$	2,362,059
Real estate construction loans		381,972		1,014		21,792		500		405,278
Commercial mortgage loans		5,015,411		124,350		126,437		9,372		5,275,570
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		1,981,684		402		9,168		-		1,991,254
Installment and other loans		5,771		-		-		-		5,771
Total gross loans	$	9,586,395	$	217,985	$	224,422	$	11,130	$	10,039,932

	December 31, 2014
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,260,474	$	47,619	$	72,561	$	1,839	$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans		272,927		-		25,227		500		298,654
Commercial mortgage loans		4,213,453		105,970		167,020		-		4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		1,733,248		-		9,690		-		1,742,938
Installment and other loans		3,552		-		-		-		3,552
Total gross loans	$	8,483,654	$	153,589	$	274,498	$	2,339	$	8,914,080
Loans held for sale	$	-	$	-	$	973	$	-	$	973

The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments are significant estimates that can and do change based on management’s process in analyzing the loan portfolio and on management’s assumptions about specific borrowers, underlying collateral, and applicable economic and environmental conditions, among other factors.

20

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

			Real Estate		Commercial		Residential
	Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Mortgage Loans		Installment and
	Loans		Loans		Loans		and Equity Lines		Other Loans		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	7,561	$	-	$	6,389	$	373	$	-	$	14,323
Balance	$	27,630	$	22,292	$	95,019	$	16,180	$	-	$	161,121
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	47,316	$	26,466	$	49,644	$	12,304	$	23	$	135,753
Balance	$	2,334,429	$	382,986	$	5,180,551	$	1,975,074	$	5,771	$	9,878,811
Total allowance	$	54,877	$	26,466	$	56,033	$	12,677	$	23	$	150,076
Total balance	$	2,362,059	$	405,278	$	5,275,570	$	1,991,254	$	5,771	$	10,039,932
December 31, 2014
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	1,263	$	1,077	$	8,993	$	465	$	-	$	11,798
Balance	$	23,489	$	25,728	$	109,194	$	16,108	$	-	$	174,519
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	46,238	$	26,575	$	65,680	$	11,113	$	16	$	149,622
Balance	$	2,359,004	$	272,926	$	4,377,249	$	1,726,830	$	3,552	$	8,739,561
Total allowance	$	47,501	$	27,652	$	74,673	$	11,578	$	16	$	161,420
Total balance	$	2,382,493	$	298,654	$	4,486,443	$	1,742,938	$	3,552	$	8,914,080

21

The following tables detail activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

Three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

				Real Estate		Commercial			Residential			Installment
	Commercial			Construction		Mortgage			Mortgage Loans			and Other
	Loans			Loans		Loans			and Equity Lines			Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
June 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	47,540		$	26,304	$	67,245		$	12,323		$	25			153,437
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		10,040			121		(11,762	)		353			(2	)		(1,250	)
Charge-offs		(3,310	)		-		(97	)		-			-			(3,407	)
Recoveries		607			41		647			1			-			1,296
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		(2,703	)		41		550			1			-			(2,111	)
September 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	54,877		$	26,466	$	56,033		$	12,677		$	23		$	150,076
June 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	63,239		$	9,555	$	83,395		$	12,870		$	18		$	169,077
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		(10,839	)		25,116		(17,950	)		(1,427	)		(1	)		(5,101	)
Charge-offs		(252	)		-		(903	)		-			-			(1,155	)
Recoveries		4,148			32		2,197			-			-			6,377
Net recoveries		3,896			32		1,294			-			-			5,222
September 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	56,296		$	34,703	$	66,739		$	11,443		$	17		$	169,198

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

				Real Estate			Commercial			Residential			Installment
	Commercial			Construction			Mortgage			Mortgage Loans			and Other
	Loans			Loans			Loans			and Equity Lines			Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
2015 Beginning Balance	$	47,501		$	27,652		$	74,673		$	11,578		$	16		$	161,420
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		11,045			(1,349	)		(19,342	)		1,239			7			(8,400	)
Charge-offs		(6,754	)		-			(3,613	)		(161	)		-			(10,528	)
Recoveries		3,085			163			4,315			21			-			7,584
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		(3,669	)		163			702			(140	)		-			(2,944	)
September 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	54,877		$	26,466		$	56,033		$	12,677		$	23		$	150,076
Reserve for impaired loans	$	7,561		$	-		$	6,389		$	373		$	-		$	14,323
Reserve for non-impaired loans	$	47,316		$	26,466		$	49,604		$	12,304		$	23		$	135,753
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	703		$	477		$	202		$	37		$	1		$	1,420
2014 Beginning Balance	$	65,103		$	11,999		$	84,753		$	12,005		$	29		$	173,889
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		(12,067	)		24,460			(20,991	)		(562	)		(12	)		(9,172	)
Charge-offs		(7,592	)		(1,813	)		(3,327	)		-			-			(12,732	)
Recoveries		10,852			57			6,304			-			-			17,213
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		3,260			(1,756	)		2,977			-			-			4,481
September 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	56,296		$	34,703		$	66,739		$	11,443		$	17		$	169,198
Reserve for impaired loans	$	2,730		$	2,604		$	7,999		$	481		$	-		$	13,814
Reserve for non-impaired loans	$	53,566		$	32,099		$	58,740		$	10,962		$	17		$	155,384
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	901		$	668		$	410		$	39		$	-		$	2,018

22 

9. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various litigation concerning transactions entered into in the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe that the resolution of such litigation will have a material effect upon its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity taken as a whole. Although the Company establishes accruals for legal proceedings when information related to the loss contingencies represented by those matters indicates both that a loss is probable and that the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company does not have accruals for all legal proceedings where there is a risk of loss. In addition, amounts accrued may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company from the legal proceedings in question. Thus, ultimate losses may be higher or lower, and possibly significantly so, than the amounts accrued for legal loss contingencies.

In the normal course of business, the Company becomes a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans, or through commercial or standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. These instruments represent varying degrees of exposure to risk in excess of the amounts included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The contractual or notional amount of these instruments indicates a level of activity associated with a particular class of financial instrument and is not a reflection of the level of expected losses, if any.

10. Borrowed Funds

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $400.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.89% at September 30, 2015, compared to $450.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.85% at December 31, 2014. In the first nine months of 2014, the Company prepaid securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.50% and incurred prepayment penalties of $3.4 million compared to no repayments in the first nine months of 2015. As of September 30, 2015, four floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $200.0 million with weighted average rate of 5.0% and final maturity in January 2017 have initial floating rates for one year, with floating rates of the three-month LIBOR rate minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.89% to 5.07%. As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $200.0 million with a weighted average rate of 2.78%. Final maturity for the four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase is $50.0 million in August 2016, $50.0 million in July 2017, $50.0 million in June 2018, and $50.0 million in July 2018.

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold. The Company may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $439.8 million as of September 30, 2015, and $516.3 million as of December 31, 2014.

Borrowing from the FHLB. As of September 30, 2015, over-night borrowings from the FHLB were zero compared to $400.0 million at a rate of 0.27% at December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, the advances from the FHLB were $75.0 million at a rate of 0.87% compared to $25.0 million at a rate of 1.13% at December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, FHLB advances of $50.0 million will mature in January 2017 and $25 million will mature in March 2018.

11. Income Taxes

Income tax expense totaled $43.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 26.5%, for the first nine months of 2015, compared to an income tax expense of $60.9 million, or an effective tax rate of 37.3%, for the same period a year ago. The effective tax rate includes the impact of the utilization of low income housing tax credits and for 2015 the utilization of alternative energy tax credits. At September 30, 2015, the Company forecasted its effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2015 to be 27.0%.

23

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had income tax refunds receivable of $18.1 million. These income tax receivables are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s tax returns are open for audit by the Internal Revenue Service back to 2012 and by the California Franchise Tax Board back to 2003. The Company is under audit by the California Franchise Tax Board for the years 2003 to 2007. As the Company is presently under audit by a number of tax authorities, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could change significantly over the next twelve months. The Company does not expect that any such changes would have a material impact on its annual effective tax rate.

12. Fair Value Measurements

The Company adopted ASC Topic 820 on January 1, 2008, and determined the fair values of our financial instruments based on the following:

● Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

● Level 2 - Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset and liability; market inputs that are not directly observable but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

● Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own judgment about the assumptions that a market participant would use.

The Company uses the following methodologies to measure the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis:

Securities Available for Sale. For certain actively traded agency preferred stocks, mutual funds, and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and trust preferred securities.

Warrants. The Company measures the fair value of warrants based on unobservable inputs based on assumptions and management judgment, a Level 3 measurement.

Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps is derived from third party models with observable market data, a Level 2 measurement.

24

The valuation techniques for the assets and liabilities valued on a nonrecurring basis are as follows:

Impaired Loans. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on either the current appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on older appraisals that are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

Goodwill. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to the two reporting units—Commercial Lending and Retail Banking.  The Company then completes “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment.  Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill.  This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two.  An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. In connection with the determination of fair value, certain data and information is utilized, including earnings forecasts at the reporting unit level for the next four years.  Other key assumptions include terminal values based on future growth rates and discount rates for valuing the cash flows, which have inputs for the risk-free rate, market risk premium, and adjustments to reflect inherent risk and required market returns. Because of the significance of unobservable inputs in the valuation of goodwill impairment, goodwill subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments is classified as a Level 3 measurement.

Core Deposit Intangibles. Core deposit intangibles is initially recorded at fair value based on a valuation of the core deposits acquired and is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset on a nonrecurring basis using the core deposits remaining at the assessment date and the fair value of cash flows expected to be generated from the core deposits, a Level 3 measurement.

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value based on the appraised value of the property on the date of transfer, less estimated costs to sell, a Level 2 measurement. From time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments are made to other real estate owned based on the current updated appraised value of the property, also a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on older appraisals that are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company periodically reviews its investments in venture capital for other-than-temporary impairment on a nonrecurring basis. Investments in venture capital were written down to their fair value based on available financial reports from venture capital partnerships and management’s judgment and estimation, a Level 3 measurement.

25

Equity Investments. The Company records equity investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement.

The following tables present the Company’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

September 30, 2015	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	284,991	$	-	$	-	$	284,991
Mortgage-backed securities		-		1,004,398		-		1,004,398
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		38		-		38
Corporate debt securities		-		73,830		-		73,830
Mutual funds		5,899		-		-		5,899
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		-		4,517		-		4,517
Other equity securities		-		7,206		-		7,206
Total securities available-for-sale		290,890		1,089,989		-		1,380,879
Warrants		-		-		37		37
Foreign exchange contracts		-		3,363		-		3,363
Total assets	$	290,890	$	1,093,352	$	37	$	1,384,279
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	-	$	11,000	$	-	$	11,000
Foreign exchange contracts		-		4,895		-		4,895
Total liabilities	$	-	$	15,895	$	-	$	15,895

December 31, 2014	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	664,004	$	-	$	-	$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities		-		544,303		-		544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		45		-		45
Corporate debt securities		-		94,472		-		94,472
Mutual funds		5,866		-		-		5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		-		3,224		-		3,224
Other equity securities		-		7,021		-		7,021
Total securities available-for-sale		669,870		649,065		-		1,318,935
Warrants		-		-		27		27
Foreign exchange contracts		-		1,876		-		1,876
Total assets	$	669,870	$	650,941	$	27	$	1,320,838
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	-	$	4,626	$	-	$	4,626
Foreign exchange contracts		-		5,007		-		5,007
Total liabilities	$	-	$	9,633	$	-	$	9,633

The Company measured the fair value of its warrants on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of warrants was $37,000 at September 30, 2015, compared to $27,000 at December 31, 2014. The fair value adjustment of warrants was included in other operating income in the third quarter of 2015. The significant unobservable inputs in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the fair value of warrants are their expected life ranging from 1 to 8 years, risk-free interest rate from 0.66% to 1.78%, and stock volatility from 11.2% to 19.1%.

26

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were still reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2015, the following tables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment, the carrying value of the related individual assets as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, and the total losses/(gains) for the periods indicated:

	September 30, 2015								Total Losses / (Gains)
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2015		September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	-	$	-	$	7,866	$	7,866	$	575	$	-		$	3,380	$	17
Commercial mortgage loans		-		-		19,950		19,950		-		515			654		515
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		-		-		13,357		13,357		-		32			146		32
Total impaired loans		-		-		41,173		41,173		575		547			4,180		564
Other real estate owned (1)		-		8,247		4,236		12,483		179		(48	)		404		277
Investments in venture capital		-		-		5,284		5,284		81		49			408		317
Total assets	$	-	$	8,247	$	50,693	$	58,940	$	835	$	548		$	4,992	$	1,158

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $26.3 million in the condensed consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

	December 31, 2014								Total Losses / (Gains)
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at		Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	-	$	-	$	3,774	$	3,774	$	17	$	5,731
Commercial mortgage loans		-		-		25,029		25,029		3,914		125
Construction- other		-		-		7,625		7,625		-		-
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		-		-		13,126		13,126		27		213
Total impaired loans		-		-		49,554		49,554		3,958		6,069
Other real estate owned (1)		-		16,458		4,110		20,568		202		(3,134	)
Investments in venture capital		-		-		5,495		5,495		436		409
Equity investments		617		-		-		617		-		-
Total assets	$	617	$	16,458	$	59,159	$	76,234	$	4,596	$	3,344

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $31.5 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

The significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs used in the fair value measurement of collateral for collateral-dependent impaired loans was primarily based on the appraised value of collateral adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions. The Company generally obtains new appraisal reports every nine months. As the Company’s primary objective in the event of default would be to monetize the collateral to settle the outstanding balance of the loan, less marketable collateral would receive a larger discount. During the reported periods, collateral discounts ranged from 55% in the case of accounts receivable collateral to 65% in the case of inventory collateral.

27

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of loans held for sale was primarily based on the quoted price or sale price adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of other real estate owned (“OREO”) was primarily based on the appraised value of OREO adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions.

The Company applies estimated sales cost and commissions ranging from 3% to 6% to collateral value of impaired loans, quoted price, or loan sale price of loans held for sale, and appraised value of OREO.

13. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value, a Level 1 measurement.

Short-term Investments. For short-term investments, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value, a Level 1 measurement.

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell. The fair value of securities purchased under agreements to resell is based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Securities. For securities, including securities held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, and for trading, fair values were based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. If a quoted market price was not available, fair value was estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes. For certain actively traded agency preferred stock and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, and corporate bonds.

Loans Held for Sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted prices from third party sources, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumptions.

Loans. Fair values were estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Each loan category was further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories.

The fair value of performing loans was calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan, a Level 3 measurement.

The fair value of impaired loans was calculated based on the net realizable fair value of the collateral or the observable market price of the most recent sale or quoted price from loans held for sale. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on the current appraised value or adjusted appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 or level 3 measurement.

28

Deposit Liabilities. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits was assumed to be the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit was estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities, a Level 3 measurement.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. The fair value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase is based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). The fair value of the advances is based on quotes from the FHLB to settle the advances, a Level 2 measurement.

Other Borrowings. This category includes borrowings from other financial institutions.  The fair value of other borrowings is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk, a Level 3 measurement.

Long-term Debt. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps is derived from third party models with observable market data, a Level 2 measurement.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. The fair value of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written were estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. The fair value of guarantees and letters of credit was based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. The fair value of off-balance-sheet financial instruments was based on the assumptions that a market participant would use, a Level 3 measurement.

Fair value was estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 825. Fair value estimates were made at specific points in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Bank’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Bank’s financial instruments, fair value estimates were based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates were subjective in nature and involved uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

29

The following table presents the carrying and notional amounts and estimated fair value of financial instruments as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	196,342	$	196,342	$	176,830	$	176,830
Short-term investments		369,829		369,829		489,614		489,614
Securities available-for-sale		1,380,879		1,380,879		1,318,935		1,318,935
Loans held for sale		-		-		973		1,225
Loans, net		9,880,264		9,815,077		8,740,268		8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250		17,250		30,785		30,785
Warrants		37		37		27		27

	Notional				Notional
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts	$	129,675	$	3,363	$	167,005	$	1,876

Financial Liabilities	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Deposits	$	10,238,475	$	10,243,411	$	8,783,460	$	8,785,342
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		400,000		418,403		450,000		473,816
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		75,000		75,220		425,000		424,974
Other borrowings		18,721		16,291		19,934		17,978
Long-term debt		119,136		58,420		119,136		59,425

	Notional				Notional
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts	$	144,703	$	4,895	$	178,868	$	5,007
Interest rate swaps		457,237		11,000		300,480		4,626

	Notional					Notional
	Amount		Fair Value			Amount		Fair Value
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,853,080	$	(4,879	)	$	2,071,766	$	(3,442	)
Standby letters of credit		48,273		(216	)		53,910		(243	)
Other letters of credit		58,204		(31	)		48,142		(29	)
Bill of lading guarantees		294		(1	)		108		-

The following tables present the level in the fair value hierarchy for the estimated fair values of financial instruments as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014.

	September 30, 2015
	Estimated
	Fair Value
	Measurements		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	196,342	$	196,342	$	-	$	-
Short-term investments		369,829		369,829		-		-
Securities available-for-sale		1,380,879		290,890		1,089,989		-
Loans, net		9,815,077		-		-		9,815,077
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250		-		17,250		-
Warrants		37		-		-		37
Financial Liabilities
Deposits		10,243,411		-		-		10,243,411
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		418,403		-		418,403		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		75,220		-		75,220		-
Other borrowings		16,291		-		-		16,291
Long-term debt		58,420		-		58,420		-

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	December 31, 2014
	Estimated
	Fair Value
	Measurements		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	176,830	$	176,830	$	-	$	-
Short-term investments		489,614		489,614		-		-
Securities available-for-sale		1,318,935		669,870		649,065		-
Loans held-for-sale		1,225		-		-		1,225
Loans, net		8,688,072		-		-		8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		30,785		-		30,785		-
Warrants		27		-		-		27
Financial Liabilities
Deposits		8,785,342		-		-		8,785,342
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		473,816		-		473,816		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		424,974		-		424,974		-
Other borrowings		17,978		-		-		17,978
Long-term debt		59,425		-		59,425		-

14. Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment

The Company’s policy is to assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or between annual assessments if a triggering event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to our two reporting units—Commercial Lending and Retail Banking.  The Company then completes “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment.  Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill.  This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two.  An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

At September 30, 2015, the Company’s market capitalization was above book value and there was no triggering event that required the Company to assess goodwill for impairment as of an interim date.

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15. Financial Derivatives

It is the policy of the Company not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, the Company enters into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We believe that these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. In such instances, the Company may enter into interest rate swap contracts or other types of financial derivatives. Prior to considering any hedging activities, we seek to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges must be approved by the Bank’s Investment Committee.

The Company follows ASC Topic 815 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge. Fair value is determined using third-party models with observable market data. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reflected in current earnings, together with changes in the fair value of the related hedged item if there is a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged. If there is not a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged, then only the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, Bancorp entered into five interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $119.1 million for a period of ten years. The objective of these interest rate swap contracts, which were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, was to hedge on Bancorp’s $119.1 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures that had been issued to five trusts, with the quarterly interest payments throughout the ten-year period beginning in June 2014 and ending in June 2024, from the risk of variability of these payments resulting from changes in the three-month LIBOR interest rate. Bancorp pays a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.61% and receives a variable interest rate of the three-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 0.33%. As of September 30, 2015, the notional amount of cash flow interest rate swaps was $119.1 million and their unrealized loss of $4.2 million, net of taxes, was included in other comprehensive income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $706,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $723,000 for the same quarter a year ago. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $2.1 million compared to $824,000 for the same period in 2014.

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In 2014 and 2015, the Bank entered into interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $342.8 million for various terms from four to eight years. These interest rate swap contracts are matched to individual fixed-rate commercial real estate loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio. These contracts have been designated as hedging instruments to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of the underlying commercial real estate loan due to changes in interest rates. The swap contracts are structured so that the notional amounts reduce over time to match the contractual amortization of the underlying loan and allow prepayments with the same pre-payment penalty amounts as the related loan. The Bank pays a weighted average fixed rate of 4.69% and receives a variable rate at the one month LIBOR rate plus a weighted average spread of 321 basis points, or at a weighted average rate of 3.41%. As of September 30, 2015, the notional amount of fair value interest rate swaps was $338.1 million and their unrealized loss of $3.7 million was included in other non-interest income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $831,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $580,000 for the same quarter a year ago. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $606,000 for the same period a year ago. As of September 30, 2015, the ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant.

Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Institutional counterparties must have a strong credit profile and be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s credit exposure on interest rate swaps is limited to the net favorable value and interest payments of all swaps by each counterparty. Credit exposure may be reduced by the amount of collateral pledged by the counterparty. Bancorp’s interest rate swaps have been assigned by the counterparties to a derivatives clearing organization and daily margin is indirectly maintained with the derivatives clearing organization. Cash posted as collateral by Bancorp related to derivative contracts totaled $10.6 million as of September 30, 2015.

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign exchange certificates of deposit or foreign exchange contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign exchange certificates of deposit and foreign exchange contracts are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At September 30, 2015, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $129.7 million had a positive fair value of $3.4 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $144.7 million had a negative fair value of $4.9 million at September 30, 2015. At December 31, 2014, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $167.0 million had a positive fair value of $1.9 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $178.9 million had a negative fair value of $5.0 million at December 31, 2014.

16. Balance Sheet Offsetting

Certain financial instruments, including resell and repurchase agreements, securities lending arrangements and derivatives, may be eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheet and/or subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The Company’s securities sold with agreements to repurchase and derivative transactions with upstream financial institution counterparties are generally executed under International Swaps and Derivative Association master agreements which include “right of set-off” provisions. In such cases there is generally a legally enforceable right to offset recognized amounts and there may be an intention to settle such amounts on a net basis. Nonetheless, the Company does not generally offset such financial instruments for financial reporting purposes.

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Financial instruments that are eligible for offset in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, are presented in the following table:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet		Net Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet		Financial Instruments		Collateral Posted			Net Amount
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	400,000	$	-	$	400,000	$	-	$	(400,000	)	$	-
Derivatives	$	3,726	$	-	$	3,726	$	-	$	(3,726	)	$	-
December 31, 2014
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	450,000	$	-	$	450,000	$	-	$	(450,000	)	$	-
Derivatives	$	4,626	$	-	$	4,626	$	-	$	(4,626	)	$	-

17. Stockholders’ Equity

Total equity was $1.73 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $129.2 million, or 8.1%, from $1.60 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases in net income of $119.7 million and equity consideration for the aquisition of Asia Bancshares, Inc. of $82.8 million offset by purchases of treasury stock of $50.7 million and common stock cash dividends of $30.7 million. Under the terms of the aquisition of Asia Bancshares, which was completed on July 31, 2015, we issued 2.58 million shares of our common stock and paid $57.0 million in cash for all of the issued and outstanding stock of Asia Bancshares.

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Activity in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, and reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014, was as follows:

	Three months ended September 30, 2015									Three months ended September 30, 2014
	Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax			Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	(1,125	)							$	(8,896	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(1,657	)								-
Total							$	(2,782	)							$	(8,896	)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	$	4,717		$	1,984		$	2,733		$	292		$	122		$	170
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(4,413	)		(1,855	)		(2,558	)		171			71			100
Total		304			129			175			463			193		$	270
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale		16			6			10			(361	)		(152	)		(209	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		-			-			-			-			-			-
Total		16			6			10			(361	)		(152	)		(209	)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Securities available-for sale		4,733			1,990			2,743			(69	)		(30	)		(39	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(4,413	)		(1,855	)		(2,558	)		171			71			100
Total	$	320		$	135		$	185		$	102		$	41		$	61
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	1,618								$	(8,935	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(4,215	)								100
Total							$	(2,597	)							$	(8,835	)

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015									Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax			Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	(3,172	)							$	(29,729	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(2,397	)								-
Total							$	(5,569	)							$	(29,729	)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	$	4,895		$	2,058		$	2,837		$	43,157		$	18,143		$	25,014
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(3,137	)		(1,319	)		(1,818	)		(281	)		(118	)		(163	)
Total		1,758			739			1,019			42,876			18,025		$	24,851
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale		3,369			1,416			1,953			(6,827	)		(2,870	)		(3,957	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		-			-			-			-			-			-
Total		3,369			1,416			1,953			(6,827	)		(2,870	)		(3,957	)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Securities available-for sale		8,264			3,474			4,790			36,330			15,273			21,057
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(3,137	)		(1,319	)		(1,818	)		(281	)		(118	)		(163	)
Total	$	5,127		$	2,155		$	2,972		$	36,049		$	15,155		$	20,894
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	1,618								$	(8,672	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(4,215	)								(163	)
Total							$	(2,597	)							$	(8,835	)

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18. Stock Repurchase Program

In August 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the resumption of the repurchase of remaining 622,500 shares of its common stock under our November 2007 repurchase program, and repurchase all the shares for $18.1 million, or a $29.08 average price per share.

On August 31, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a new stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares for $32.6 million, or a $30.05 average price per share under the August 2015 repurchase program. As of September 30, 2015, there were 915,250 remaining shares that could be purchased in the future under the August 2015 repurchase program.

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion is based on the assumption that the reader has access to and has read the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and results of operations are based upon its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management of the Company considers the following to be critical accounting policies:

Accounting for the allowance for credit losses involves significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the carrying value of net loans. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances as described in “Allowance for Credit Losses” under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accounting for investment securities involves significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the carrying value of securities and the recognition of any “other-than-temporary” impairment to our investment securities. The judgments and assumptions used by management are described in “Investment Securities” under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accounting for income taxes involves significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the amount of taxes currently payable and the income tax expense recorded in the financial statements. The judgments and assumptions used by management are described in “Income Taxes” under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accounting for goodwill and goodwill impairment involves significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the amount of goodwill and noninterest expense recorded in the financial statements. The judgments and assumptions used by management are described in “Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment” under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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Highlights

● The aqusition of Asia Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Asia Bank, was completed on July 31, 2015 and the systems integrated as of August 21, 2015. This acquisition added three additional branches in New York City and one additional branch in Rockville, Maryland.

● Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.47 for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $0.45 for the same quarter a year ago.

Quarterly Statement of Operations Review

Net Income

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, was $38.5 million, an increase of $2.6 million, or 7.2%, compared to net income of $35.9 million for the same quarter a year ago. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, was $0.47 compared to $0.45 for the same quarter a year ago.

Return on average stockholders’ equity was 8.80% and return on average assets was 1.23% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to a return on average stockholders’ equity of 9.14% and a return on average assets of 1.27% for the same quarter a year ago.

Financial Performance

	Three months ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Net income (in millions)	$	38.5		$	35.9
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.47		$	0.45
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.47		$	0.45
Return on average assets		1.23	%		1.27	%
Return on average total stockholders' equity		8.80	%		9.14	%
Efficiency ratio		53.81	%		44.51	%

Net Interest Income Before Provision for Credit Losses

Net interest income before provision for credit losses increased $10.8 million, or 12.6%, to $97.6 million during the third quarter of 2015 compared to $86.8 million during the same quarter a year ago. The increase was due primarily to the increase in interest income from loans, including those from Asia Bank, and investment securities, and the decrease in interest expense from securities sold under agreements to repurchase partially offset by the increase in interest expense from time deposits.

The net interest margin was 3.36% for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 3.31% for the third quarter of 2014. The increase in the net interest margin was due to the impact from the increase in loans and the decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The net interest margin decreased to 3.36% for the third quarter of 2015 from 3.51% for the second quarter of 2015, primarily due to higher interest collected on nonaccrual loans during the second quarter, the special dividend distributed by the Federal Home Loan Bank in the second quarter and the higher interest from time deposits during the third quarter.

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For the third quarter of 2015, the yield on average interest-earning assets was 4.03%, the cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities was 0.87%, and the cost of interest bearing deposits was 0.67%. In comparison, for the third quarter of 2014, the yield on average interest-earning assets was 4.06%, the cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities was 0.97%, and the cost of interest bearing deposits was 0.67%. The net interest spread, defined as the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities, increased to 3.16% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, from 3.09% for the same quarter a year ago.

The following table sets forth information concerning average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the average yields and rates paid on those assets and liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014. Average outstanding amounts included in the table are daily averages.

Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-Bearing Liabilities
	Three months ended September 30,
	2015								2014
				Interest		Average						Interest		Average
	Average			Income/		Yield/			Average			Income/		Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance			Expense		Rate (1)(2)			Balance			Expense		Rate (1)(2)
Interest earning assets:
Commercial loans	$	2,411,560		$	22,651		3.73	%	$	2,393,848		$	23,377		3.87	%
Residential mortgage loans		1,936,100			21,835		4.51			1,659,952			19,569		4.72
Commercial mortgage loans		5,110,278			59,652		4.63			4,343,159			52,823		4.83
Real estate construction loans		392,579			5,779		5.84			297,510			4,359		5.81
Other loans and leases		4,933			26		2.09			11,254			23		0.81
Total loans and leases (1)		9,855,450			109,943		4.43			8,705,723			100,151		4.56
Taxable securities		1,488,655			6,142		1.64			1,288,207			5,105		1.57
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250			524		12.05			32,057			508		6.29
Interest bearing deposits		149,153			258		0.69			363,722			571		0.62
Total interest-earning assets		11,510,508			116,867		4.03			10,389,709			106,335		4.06
Non-interest earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		223,295								225,127
Other non-earning assets		866,217								749,873
Total non-interest earning assets		1,089,512								975,000
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(153,762	)							(171,994	)
Deferred loan fees		(9,977	)							(13,282	)
Total assets	$	12,436,281							$	11,179,433
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing demand accounts	$	880,209		$	367		0.17		$	736,690		$	326		0.18
Money market accounts		1,721,394			2,616		0.60			1,527,888			2,428		0.63
Savings accounts		632,466			235		0.15			557,578			241		0.17
Time deposits		4,868,908			10,406		0.85			4,345,065			9,117		0.83
Total interest-bearing deposits		8,102,977			13,624		0.67			7,167,221			12,112		0.67
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		400,000			3,977		3.94			603,804			5,858		3.85
Other borrowings		114,998			164		0.57			102,267			154		0.60
Long-term debt		119,136			1,456		4.85			119,136			1,456		4.85
Total interest-bearing liabilities		8,737,111			19,221		0.87			7,992,428			19,580		0.97
Non-interest bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		1,795,938								1,549,463
Other liabilities		168,083								78,129
Total equity		1,735,149								1,559,413
Total liabilities and equity	$	12,436,281							$	11,179,433
Net interest spread							3.16	%							3.09	%
Net interest income				$	97,646							$	86,755
Net interest margin							3.37	%							3.31	%

(1) Yields and amounts of interest earned include loan fees. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balance.

(2) Calculated by dividing net interest income by average outstanding interest-earning assets.

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The following table summarizes the changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume and changes in interest rates:

Taxable-Equivalent Net Interest Income — Changes Due to Volume and Rate(1)
	Three months ended September 30,
		2015-2014
	Increase (Decrease) in
	Net Interest Income Due to:
(Dollars in thousands)	Changes in Volume			Changes in Rate			Total Change
Interest-earning assets:
Loans and leases		12,860			(3,068	)		9,792
Taxable securities		820			217			1,037
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		(304	)		320			16
Deposits with other banks		(365	)		52			(313	)
Total changes in interest income		13,011			(2,479	)		10,532
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing demand accounts		60			(19	)		41
Money market accounts		296			(108	)		188
Savings accounts		30			(36	)		(6	)
Time deposits		1,117			172			1,289
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(2,021	)		140			(1,881	)
Other borrowed funds		18			(8	)		10
Long-term debt		-			-			-
Total changes in interest expense		(500	)		141			(359	)
Changes in net interest income	$	13,511		$	(2,620	)	$	10,891

(1) Changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to changes due to volume and changes due to rate.

40

Provision for Credit Losses

Provision for credit losses was a credit of $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to a credit of $5.1 million for the third quarter of 2014. The provision for credit losses was based on the review of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015. The provision or reversal for credit losses represents the charge against or benefit toward current earnings that is determined by management, through a credit review process, as the amount needed to establish an allowance that management believes to be sufficient to absorb credit losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio, including unfunded commitments. The following table summarizes the charge-offs and recoveries for the periods indicated:

	For the three months ended September 30,					For the nine months ended September 30,
	2015		2014			2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Charge-offs:
Commercial loans	$	3,310	$	252		$	6,754	$	7,592
Construction loans		-		-			-		1,813
Real estate loans (1)		97		903			3,774		3,327
Total charge-offs		3,407		1,155			10,528		12,732
Recoveries:
Commercial loans	$	606		4,148			3,084		10,852
Construction loans		41		32			163		57
Real estate loans (1)		648		2,197			4,336		6,304
Total recoveries		1,295		6,377			7,583		17,213
Net charge-offs/(recoveries)	$	2,112	$	(5,222	)	$	2,945	$	(4,481	)

(1) Real estate loans include commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, and equity lines.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income, which includes revenues from depository service fees, letters of credit commissions, securities gains (losses), gains (losses) on loan sales, wire transfer fees, and other sources of fee income, was $9.2 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $0.2 million, or 2.0%, compared to $9.0 million for the third quarter of 2014.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $14.9 million, or 34.9%, to $57.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $42.6 million in the same quarter a year ago. The increase in non-interest expense in the third quarter of 2015 was primarily due to increases of $13.8 million in amortization of investments in affordable housing and alternative energy partnerships, $1.3 million in other real estate owned expenses, and $1.4 million in computer and equipment expenses, offset by a decrease $1.9 million in salaries and employee benefits. Integration and other expenses related to the aquisition of Asia Bancshares totaled approximately $2.0 million and are reported in the applicable expense categories. The efficiency ratio was 53.81% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 44.51% for the same quarter a year ago.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 was 23.9% compared to 38.3% for the third quarter of 2014. The effective tax rate includes the impact of the utilization of low income housing tax credits and in 2015 alternative energy tax credits. At September 30, 2015, the Company forecasted its effective tax rate for the full year 2015 to be 27.0% including the utilization of alternative energy tax credits generated from an investment made in April 2015 and applied the forecasted full year effective tax rate to the results of operations for the first nine months of 2015.

Year-to-Date Statement of Operations Review

Net income was $119.7 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $17.4 million, or 17.0%, compared to net income of $102.3 million for the same period a year ago due primarily to increases in net interest income, and decreases in costs associated with debt redemption partially offset by decreases in securities gains, increases in operation expenses from amortization of investments in affordable housing and alternative energy partnerships, and increases in professional service expenses. Diluted earnings per share was $1.48 compared to $1.28 for the same period a year ago. The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was 3.43% compared to 3.35% for the same period a year ago.

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Return on average stockholders’ equity was 9.56% and return on average assets was 1.36% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a return on average stockholders’ equity of 8.98% and a return on average assets of 1.25% for the same period of 2014. The efficiency ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was 49.13% compared to 46.31% for the same period a year ago.

The following table sets forth information concerning average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the average yields and rates paid on those assets and liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014. Average outstanding amounts included in the table are daily averages.

Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-Bearing Liabilities
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2015								2014
				Interest		Average						Interest		Average
	Average			Income/		Yield/			Average			Income/		Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance			Expense		Rate (1)(2)			Balance			Expense		Rate (1)(2)
Interest earning assets:
Commercial loans	$	2,417,306		$	68,969		3.81	%	$	2,302,775		$	66,657		3.87	%
Residential mortgage loans		1,837,912			62,731		4.55			1,618,377			57,277		4.72
Commercial mortgage loans		4,810,426			167,646		4.66			4,221,589			154,688		4.90
Real estate construction loans		355,520			15,619		5.87			267,214			11,644		5.83
Other loans and leases		4,541			73		2.15			16,270			71		0.58
Total loans and leases (1)		9,425,705			315,038		4.47			8,426,225			290,337		4.61
Taxable securities		1,337,791			15,262		1.53			1,458,936			19,389		1.78
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		22,905			2,782		16.24			28,389			1,379		6.49
Interest bearing deposits		147,206			1,105		1.00			255,627			1,499		0.78
Total interest-earning assets		10,933,607			334,187		4.09			10,169,177			312,604		4.11
Non-interest earning assets:
Cash and due from banks		202,080								167,779
Other non-earning assets		798,587								769,929
Total non-interest earning assets		1,000,667								937,708
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(157,939	)							(172,960	)
Deferred loan fees		(10,736	)							(13,370	)
Total assets	$	11,765,599							$	10,920,555
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing demand accounts	$	838,976		$	1,025		0.16		$	707,421		$	906		0.17
Money market accounts		1,634,848			7,340		0.60			1,369,838			6,371		0.62
Savings accounts		582,632			646		0.15			526,768			549		0.14
Time deposits		4,541,376			28,320		0.83			4,259,579			26,155		0.82
Total interest-bearing deposits		7,597,832			37,331		0.66			6,863,606			33,981		0.66
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		401,099			11,836		3.95			669,963			19,731		3.94
Other borrowings		118,091			374		0.42			166,445			850		0.68
Long-term debt		119,136			4,320		4.85			120,003			3,012		3.36
Total interest-bearing liabilities		8,236,158			53,861		0.87			7,820,017			57,574		0.98
Non-interest bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		1,710,823								1,498,181
Other liabilities		144,664								79,585
Total equity		1,673,954								1,522,772
Total liabilities and equity	$	11,765,599							$	10,920,555
Net interest spread							3.22	%							3.13	%
Net interest income				$	280,326							$	255,030
Net interest margin							3.43	%							3.35	%

(1) Yields and amounts of interest earned include loan fees. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balance.

(2) Calculated by dividing net interest income by average outstanding interest-earning assets.

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The following table summarizes the changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume and changes in interest rates:

Taxable-Equivalent Net Interest Income — Changes Due to Volumn and Rate(1)
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2015-2014
		Increase (Decrease) in
		Net Interest Income Due to:
(Dollars in thousands)		Changes in  Volume			Changes in Rate			Total Change
Interest-earning assets:
Loans and leases		33,652			(8,951	)		24,701
Taxable securities		(1,526	)		(2,601	)		(4,127	)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		(313	)		1,716			1,403
Deposits with other banks		(744	)		350			(394	)
Total changes in interest income		31,069			(9,486	)		21,583
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing demand accounts		162			(43	)		119
Money market accounts		1,197			(228	)		969
Savings accounts		61			36			97
Time deposits		1,752			413			2,165
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(7,934	)		39			(7,895	)
Other borrowed funds		(206	)		(270	)		(476	)
Long-term debt		(22	)		1,330			1,308
Total changes in interest expense		(4,990	)		1,277			(3,713	)
Changes in net interest income	$	36,059		$	(10,763	)	$	25,296

(1) Changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to changes due to volume and changes due to rate.

Balance Sheet Review

Assets

Total assets were $12.7 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $1.2 billion, or 10.7%, from $11.5 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to a $1.1 billion increase in loans and a $61.9 million increase in available-for-sale securities. Loan increases were primarily due to a $418.0 million increase from the aquisition of Asia Bancshares, which was completed on July 31, 2015.

Investment Securities

Investment securities represented 10.8% of total assets at September 30, 2015, compared with 11.5% of total assets at December 31, 2014. The carrying value of investment securities at September 30, 2015, was $1.38 billion compared with $1.32 billion at December 31, 2014. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value and had a net unrealized gain, net of tax, of $1.6 million at September 30, 2015, compared with a net unrealized loss, net of tax, of $3.2 million at December 31, 2014.

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The following tables reflect the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair value of investment securities as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	284,603	$	388	$	-	$	284,991
Mortgage-backed securities		1,005,527		1,066		2,195		1,004,398
Collateralized mortgage obligations		67		-		29		38
Corporate debt securities		74,952		370		1,492		73,830
Mutual funds		6,000		-		101		5,899
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		2,811		1,706		-		4,517
Other equity securities		4,128		3,403		325		7,206
Total	$	1,378,088	$	6,933	$	4,142	$	1,380,879

	December 31, 2014
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	664,206	$	63	$	265	$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities		549,296		1,393		6,386		544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations		79		-		34		45
Corporate debt securities		94,943		776		1,247		94,472
Mutual funds		6,000		-		134		5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		6,276		681		3,733		3,224
Other equity securities		3,608		3,413		-		7,021
Total	$	1,324,408	$	6,326	$	11,799	$	1,318,935

For additional information, see Note 7 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.

Investment securities having a carrying value of $457.0 million at September 30, 2015, and $591.3 million at December 31, 2014, were pledged to secure public deposits, other borrowings, treasury tax and loan, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. 

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Loans

Gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $10.0 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 12.6%, from $8.9 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases of $789.1 million, or 17.6%, in commercial mortgage loans, $246.4 million, or 15.7%, in residential mortgage loans, and $106.6 million, or 35.7%, in real estate construction loans partially offset by decreases of $20.4 million, or 0.9%, in commercial loans. These figures include total gross loans of $418.0 million from Asia Bank. The following table sets forth the classification of loans by type, mix, and percentage change as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2015			% of Gross Loans			December 31, 2014			% of Gross Loans			% Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Loans
Commercial loans	$	2,362,059			23.5	%	$	2,382,493			26.7	%		(0.9	%)
Residential mortgage loans		1,816,464			18.1			1,570,059			17.6			15.7
Commercial mortgage loans		5,275,570			52.6			4,486,443			50.3			17.6
Equity lines		174,790			1.7			172,879			2.0			1.1
Real estate construction loans		405,278			4.0			298,654			3.4			35.7
Installment and other loans		5,771			0.1			3,552			0.0			62.5
Gross loans	$	10,039,932			100	%	$	8,914,080			100	%		12.6	%
Allowance for loan losses		(150,076	)					(161,420	)					(7.0	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(9,592	)					(12,392	)					(22.6	)
Total loans, net	$	9,880,264					$	8,740,268						13.0	%
Loans held for sale	$	-					$	973						(100	%)

Non-performing Assets

Non-performing assets include loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, non-accrual loans, and other real estate owned (“OREO”). The Company’s policy is to place loans on non-accrual status if interest and/or principal is past due 90 days or more, or in cases where management deems the full collection of principal and interest unlikely. After a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied towards the outstanding principal balance of the loan. Depending on the circumstances, management may elect to continue the accrual of interest on certain past due loans if partial payment is received and/or the loan is well collateralized and in the process of collection. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled.

Management reviews the loan portfolio regularly for problem loans. During the ordinary course of business, management becomes aware of borrowers that may not be able to meet the contractual requirements of the loan agreements. Such loans are placed under closer supervision with consideration given to placing the loans on non-accrual status, the need for an additional allowance for loan losses, and (if appropriate) partial or full charge-off.

The ratio of non-performing assets, excluding non-accrual loans held for sale, to total assets was 0.8% at September 30, 2015, compared to 0.9% at December 31, 2014. Total non-performing assets decreased $1.5 million, or 1.5%, to $100.1 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $101.6 million at December 31, 2014, primarily due to a $5.2 million, or 16.4%, decrease in other real estate owned offset by a $2.6 million increase in loans 90 days or more past due still accruing and a $1.1 million increase in non-accrual loans.

45

As a percentage of gross loans plus OREO, our non-performing assets decreased to 0.99% at September 30, 2015, from 1.14% at December 31, 2014. The non-performing portfolio loan coverage ratio, defined as the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans, increased to 205.2% at September 30, 2015, from 232.8% at December 31, 2014.

The following table presents the changes in non-performing assets and troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) at September 30, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014, and to September 30, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014			% Change			September 30, 2014			% Change
Non-performing assets
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	$	2,573		$	-			-		$	662			289
Non-accrual loans:
Construction loans		16,579			19,963			(17	)		25,728			(36	)
Commercial real estate loans		33,214			35,606			(7	)		23,830			39
Commercial loans		14,758			6,983			111			8,851			67
Residential mortgage loans		6,690			7,611			(12	)		6,849			(2	)
Total non-accrual loans:	$	71,241		$	70,163			2		$	65,258			9
Total non-performing loans		73,814			70,163			5			65,920			12
Other real estate owned		26,326			31,477			(16	)		29,025			(9	)
Total non-performing assets	$	100,140		$	101,640			(1	)	$	94,945			5
Accruing TDRs	$	89,881		$	104,356			(14	)	$	123,089			(27	)
Non-accrual loans held for sale	$	-		$	973			(100	)	$	-			-
Allowance for loan losses	$	150,076		$	161,420			(7	)	$	169,198			(11	)
Allowance for off-balance sheet credit commitments		1,421			1,949			(27	)		2,018			(30	)
Allowance for credit losses	$	151,497		$	163,369			(7	)	$	171,216			(12	)
Total gross loans outstanding, at period-end (1)	$	10,039,932		$	8,914,080			13		$	8,858,254			13
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans, at period-end (2)		203.32	%		230.06	%					256.67	%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans, at period-end (1)		1.49	%		1.81	%					1.91	%

(1) Excludes loans held for sale at period-end.

(2) Excludes non-accrual loans held for sale at period-end.

Non-accrual Loans

At September 30, 2015, total non-accrual loans were $71.2 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 1.5% from $70.2 million at December 31, 2014. The allowance for the collateral-dependent loans is calculated based on the difference between the outstanding loan balance and the value of the collateral as determined by recent appraisals, sales contracts, or other available market price information. The allowance for collateral-dependent loans varies from loan to loan based on the collateral coverage of the loan at the time of designation as non-performing. We continue to monitor the collateral coverage, based on recent appraisals, of these loans on a quarterly basis and adjust the allowance accordingly. Non-accrual loans also include those TDRs that do not qualify for accrual status.

46

The following tables present the type of properties securing the non-accrual portfolio loans and the type of businesses the borrowers engaged in as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Real				Real
	Estate (1)		Commercial		Estate (1)		Commercial
	(In thousands)
Type of Collateral
Single/multi-family residence	$	8,855	$	-	$	9,068	$	1,184
Commercial real estate		33,615		834		48,256		903
Land		14,013		-		5,856		-
Unsecured		-		13,924		-		4,896
Total	$	56,483	$	14,758	$	63,180	$	6,983

(1) Real estate includes commercial mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, residential mortgage loans and equity lines.

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Real				Real
	Estate (1)		Commercial		Estate (1)		Commercial
	(In thousands)
Type of Business
Real estate development	$	28,416	$	834	$	35,299	$	860
Wholesale/Retail		22,029		2,691		20,658		4,078
Food/Restaurant		300		144		650		144
Import/Export		-		11,089		-		1,901
Other		5,738		-		6,573		-
Total	$	56,483	$	14,758	$	63,180	$	6,983

(1) Real estate includes commercial mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, residential mortgage loans and equity lines.

Other Real Estate Owned

At September 30, 2015, OREO totaled $26.3 million, which decreased $5.2 million, or 16.4%, compared to $31.5 million at December 31, 2014, and decreased $2.7 million, or 9.3%, compared to $29.0 million at September 30, 2014.

47

Impaired Loans

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement based on current circumstances and events. The assessment for impairment occurs when and while such loans are on non-accrual as a result of delinquency status of over 90 days or receipt of information indicating that full collection of principal is doubtful, or when the loan has been restructured in a troubled debt restructuring. Those loans with a balance less than our defined selection criteria, generally a loan amount less than $500,000 (less than $100,000 for quarters before June 30, 2012), are treated as a homogeneous portfolio. If loans meeting the defined criteria are not collateral dependent, we measure the impairment based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. If loans meeting the defined criteria are collateral dependent, we measure the impairment by using the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral. We obtain an appraisal to determine the amount of impairment at the date that the loan becomes impaired. The appraisals are based on “as is” or bulk sale valuations. To ensure that appraised values remain current, we generally obtain an updated appraisal every twelve months from qualified independent appraisers. If the fair value of the collateral, less cost to sell, is less than the recorded amount of the loan, we then recognize impairment by creating or adjusting an existing valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. If an impaired loan is expected to be collected through liquidation of the collateral, the amount of impairment, excluding disposal costs, which range between 3% to 6% of the fair value, depending on the size of the impaired loan, is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Non-accrual impaired loans, including TDRs, are not returned to accrual status unless the unpaid interest has been brought current and full repayment of the recorded balance is expected or if the borrower has made six consecutive monthly payments of the scheduled amounts due, and TDRs are reviewed for continued impairment until they are no longer reported as TDRs.

At September 30, 2015, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $161.1 million and was comprised of non-accrual loans of $71.2 million and accruing troubled debt restructured loans (“TDRs) of $89.9 million. At December 31, 2014, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $174.5 million and was comprised of non-accrual loans of $70.2 million and accruing TDRs of $104.3 million. For impaired loans, the amounts previously charged off represent 18.9% at September 30, 2015, and 17.1% at December 31, 2014, of the contractual balances for impaired loans. As of September 30, 2015, $56.5 million, or 79.3%, of the $71.2 million of non-accrual loans was secured by real estate compared to $63.2 million, or 90.1%, of the $70.2 million of non-accrual loans, excluding loans held for sale, that was secured by real estate at December 31, 2014. The Bank obtains current appraisals, sales contracts, or other available market price information which provide updated factors in evaluating potential loss.

At September 30, 2015, $14.3 million of the $150.1 million allowance for loan losses was allocated for impaired loans and $135.8 million was allocated to the general allowance. At December 31, 2014, $11.8 million of the $161.4 million allowance for loan losses was allocated for impaired loans and $149.6 million was allocated to the general allowance.

The allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans increased to 203.3% at September 30, 2015, from 230.1% at December 31, 2014, primarily due to decreases in non-accrual loans. Non-accrual loans also include those TDRs that do not qualify for accrual status.    

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The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance as of the dates indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(In thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	15,425	$	14,397	$	-	$	19,479	$	18,452	$	-
Real estate construction loans		48,495		22,292		-		32,924		17,025		-
Commercial mortgage loans		73,980		68,680		-		77,474		75,172		-
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		2,450		2,450		-		2,518		2,518		-
Subtotal	$	140,350	$	107,819	$	-	$	132,395	$	113,167	$	-
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	16,629	$	13,233	$	7,561	$	7,003	$	5,037	$	1,263
Real estate construction loans		-		-		-		19,006		8,703		1,077
Commercial mortgage loans		27,526		26,339		6,389		38,197		34,022		8,993
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		14,210		13,731		373		14,019		13,590		465
Subtotal	$	58,365	$	53,303	$	14,323	$	78,225	$	61,352	$	11,798
Total impaired loans	$	198,715	$	161,122	$	14,323	$	210,620	$	174,519	$	11,798

Loan Interest Reserves 

In accordance with customary banking practice, construction loans and land development loans are originated where interest on the loan is disbursed from pre-established interest reserves included in the total original loan commitment. Our construction and land development loans generally include optional renewal terms after the maturity of the initial loan term. New appraisals are obtained prior to extension or renewal of these loans in part to determine the appropriate interest reserve to be established for the new loan term. Loans with interest reserves are underwritten to the same criteria, including loan to value and, if applicable, pro forma debt service coverage ratios, as loans without interest reserves. Construction loans with interest reserves are monitored on a periodic basis to gauge progress towards completion. Interest reserves are frozen if it is determined that additional draws would result in a loan to value ratio that exceeds policy maximums based on collateral property type. Our policy limits in this regard are consistent with supervisory limits and range from 65% in the case of land to 85% in the case of one to four family residential construction projects.

As of September 30, 2015, construction loans of $351.8 million were disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $49.5 million compared to $211.5 million of such loans disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $35.6 million at December 31, 2014.  The balance for construction loans with interest reserves which have been extended was $87.9 million with pre-established interest reserves of $3.2 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $55.2 million with pre-established interest reserves of $3.1 million at December 31, 2014.  Land loans of $101.7 million were disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $3.6 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $76.4 million land loans disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $3.8 at December 31, 2014.  The balance for land loans with interest reserves which have been extended was $76 million at September 30, 2015 with pre-established interest reserves of $2.2 million, compared to $4 million land loans with pre-established interest reserves of $56,000 at December 31, 2014. 

At September 30, 2015, the Bank had no loans on non-accrual status with available interest reserves.  At September 30, 2015, $30.1 million of non-accrual non-residential construction loans, $0.5 million of non-accrual residential construction loans, and no non-accrual land loans had been originated with pre-established interest reserves.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank had no loans on non-accrual status with available interest reserves.  At December 31, 2014, $0.5 million of non-accrual residential construction loans, $19.5 million of non-accrual non-residential construction loans, and no non-accrual land loans had been originated with pre-established interest reserves.   While loans with interest reserves are typically expected to be repaid in full according to the original contractual terms, some loans require one or more extensions beyond the original maturity.  Typically, these extensions are required due to construction delays, delays in the sale or lease of property, or some combination of these two factors.

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Loan Concentration

Most of the Company’s business activities are with customers located in the predominantly Asian areas of Southern and Northern California; New York City, New York; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Edison, New Jersey; Rockville, Maryland; Las Vegas, Nevada, and Hong Kong. The Company has no specific industry concentration, and generally its loans are collateralized with real property or other pledged collateral of the borrowers. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, refinancing by another lender, or through sale by the borrowers of the collateral. There were no loan concentrations to multiple borrowers in similar activities which exceeded 10% of total loans as of September 30, 2015, or as of December 31, 2014.

The federal banking regulatory agencies issued final guidance on December 6, 2006, regarding risk management practices for financial institutions with high or increasing concentrations of commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans on their balance sheets. The regulatory guidance reiterates the need for sound internal risk management practices for those institutions that have experienced rapid growth in CRE lending, have notable exposure to specific types of CRE, or are approaching or exceeding the supervisory criteria used to evaluate the CRE concentration risk, but the guidance is not to be construed as a limit for CRE exposure. The supervisory criteria are: (1) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% of the institution’s total risk-based capital, and (2) both total CRE loans represent 300% or more of the institution’s total risk-based capital and the institution’s CRE loan portfolio has increased 50% or more within the last thirty-nine months. Total loans for construction, land development, and other land represented 35% of the Bank’s total risk-based capital as of September 30, 2015, and 30% as of December 31, 2014. Total CRE loans represented 288% of total risk-based capital as of September 30, 2015, and 256% as of December 31, 2014 and were below the Bank’s internal limit for CRE loans of 300% of total capital at both dates.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Bank maintains the allowance for credit losses at a level that is considered appropriate to absorb the estimated and known risks in the loan portfolio and off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments. Allowance for credit losses is comprised of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments. With this risk management objective, the Bank’s management has an established monitoring system that is designed to identify impaired and potential problem loans, and to permit periodic evaluation of impairment and the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses in a timely manner.

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In addition, the Bank’s Board of Directors has established a written credit policy that includes a credit review and control system which it believes should be effective in ensuring that the Bank maintains an appropriate allowance for credit losses. The Board of Directors provides oversight for the allowance evaluation process, including quarterly evaluations, and determines whether the allowance is appropriate to absorb losses in the credit portfolio. The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses and the provision for credit losses is based on management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectability when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. Additions to the allowance for credit losses are made by charges to the provision for credit losses. While management utilizes its best judgment based on the information available, the ultimate appropriateness of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Bank’s control, including the performance of the Bank’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates, and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications. Identified credit exposures that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for credit losses. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts, if any, are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for credit losses in future periods.

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The allowance for loan losses was $150.1 million and the allowance for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments was $1.4 million at September 30, 2015, which represented the amount believed by management to be appropriate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio, including unfunded commitments. The $150.1 million allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015, decreased $11.3 million, or 7.0%, from $161.4 million at December 31, 2014. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.49% of period-end gross loans, and 203.3% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2015. The comparable ratios were 1.81% of period-end gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, and 230.1% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2014. The following table sets forth information relating to the allowance for loan losses, charge-offs, recoveries, and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments for the periods indicated:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of period	$	153,437		$	169,077		$	161,420		$	173,889
Reversal for credit losses		(1,250	)		(5,100	)		(8,400	)		(8,800	)
Transfers to reserve for off-balance sheet
credit commitments		1			(1	)		1			(372	)
Charge-offs :
Commercial loans		(3,310	)		(252	)		(6,754	)		(7,592	)
Construction loans		-			-			-			(1,813	)
Real estate loans		(97	)		(903	)		(3,774	)		(3,327	)
Total charge-offs		(3,407	)		(1,155	)		(10,528	)		(12,732	)
Recoveries:
Commercial loans		606			4,148			3,084			10,852
Construction loans		41			32			163			57
Real estate loans		648			2,197			4,336			6,304
Total recoveries		1,295			6,377			7,583			17,213
Balance at end of period	$	150,076		$	169,198		$	150,076		$	169,198
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,574		$	1,844		$	1,949		$	1,362
Provision/(reversal) for credit losses/transfers		(153	)		-			(528	)		482
Balance at end of period	$	1,421		$	1,844		$	1,421		$	1,844
Average loans outstanding during period ended	$	9,857,196		$	8,705,723		$	9,426,293		$	8,426,225
Total gross loans outstanding, at period-end	$	10,039,932		$	8,858,254		$	10,039,932		$	8,858,254
Total non-performing loans, at period-end	$	73,814		$	65,920		$	73,814		$	65,920
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period		0.09	%		-0.24	%		0.04	%		-0.07	%
Provision for credit losses to average loans outstanding during the period		-0.06	%		-0.23	%		-0.13	%		-0.13	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans, at period-end		205.24	%		259.47	%		205.24	%		259.47	%
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans, at period-end		1.51	%		1.93	%		1.51	%		1.93	%

Our allowance for loan losses consists of the following:

 •  Specific allowance: For impaired loans, we provide specific allowances for loans that are not collateral dependent based on an evaluation of the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate and for loans that are collateral dependent based on the fair value of the underlying collateral determined by the most recent valuation information received, which may be adjusted based on factors such as changes in market conditions from the time of valuation. If the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the deficiency will be charged off against the allowance for loan losses or, alternatively, a specific allocation will be established.

• General allowance: The unclassified portfolio is segmented on a group basis. Segmentation is determined by loan type and common risk characteristics. The non-impaired loans are grouped into 19 segments: two commercial segments, ten commercial real estate segments, one residential construction segment, one non-residential construction segment, one SBA segment, one installment loans segment, one residential mortgage segment, one equity lines of credit segment, and one overdrafts segment. The allowance is provided for each segmented group based on the group’s historical loan loss experience aggregated based on loan risk classifications which take into account the current financial condition of the borrowers and guarantors, the prevailing value of the underlying collateral if collateral dependent, charge-off history, management’s knowledge of the portfolio, general economic conditions, environmental factors including the trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and concentration of credit. In addition, management reviews reports on past-due loans to ensure appropriate classification. In the second quarter of 2010, management increased the weighting given to the most recent four quarters to 50%, and reduced the weighting of the earliest and second earliest four quarters to 10% and 15%, respectively, for pass rated loans, to place greater emphasis on losses taken by the Bank during the economic downturn. In the third quarter of 2014, management reevaluated the look-back period and restored the five year look-back period in order to capture a sufficient history of loss data. Additionally, risk factor calculations for pass rated loans included a specified loss emergence period and were determined based on the higher of the not-weighted five year average or weighted at 50.0 percent for the most recent four quarters, 25.0 percent for the next four quarters,12.5 percent for the next four quarters, 7.5% for the next four quarters and 5.0% for the next four quarters. In light of the changes above, the relevant environmental factors were reduced. These refinements maintained the Bank’s allowance at a level consistent with the prior quarter.

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The table set forth below reflects management’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category and the ratio of each loan category to the average gross loans as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2015					December 31, 2014
			Percentage of					Percentage of
			Loans in Each					Loans in Each
			Category					Category
			to Average					to Average
	Amount		Gross Loans			Amount		Gross Loans
	(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Loan:
Commercial loans	$	54,877		25.6	%	$	47,501		27.2	%
Residential mortgage loans (1)		12,677		19.5			11,578		19.2
Commercial mortgage loans		56,033		51.0			74,673		50.2
Real estate construction loans		26,466		3.8			27,652		3.2
Installment and other loans		23		0.1			16		0.2
Total	$	150,076		100	%	$	161,420		100	%

(1) Residential mortgage loans includes equity lines.

The allowance allocated to commercial mortgage loans decreased from $74.7 million at December 31, 2014, to $56.0 million at September 30, 2015, which was due primarily to partial charge-offs on two impaired loans against reserves established in prior quarters and the decrease in the amount of loans classified as substandard. The overall allowance for total commercial mortgage loans was 1.1% at September 30, 2015, and 1.7% at December 31, 2014.

The allowance allocated for commercial loans increased $7.4 million, or 15.5%, to $54.9 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $47.5 million at December 31, 2014, primarily due to an allowance allocated against an impaired commercial loan.

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Deposits

Total deposits were $10.2 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $1.4 billion, or 16.6%, from $8.8 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to a $808.7 million, or 18.9%, increase in time deposits, a $313.5 million, or 18.8%, increase in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, a $147.8 million, or 9.6%, increase in money market deposits, a $122.4 million, or 15.7%, increase in NOW deposits, and a $62.7 million, or 11.7%, increase in savings deposits. These figures include total deposits of $420.6 million from Asia Bank. The following table displays the deposit mix as of the dates indicated:

	September 30, 2015		% of Total			December 31, 2014		% of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deposits
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	$	1,978,387		19.3	%	$	1,664,914		19.0	%
NOW deposits		901,084		8.8			778,691		8.9
Money market deposits		1,685,943		16.5			1,538,187		17.5
Savings deposits		596,651		5.8			533,940		6.1
Time deposits		5,076,410		49.6			4,267,728		48.5
Total deposits	$	10,238,475		100.0	%	$	8,783,460		100.0	%

Borrowings

Borrowings include federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, funds obtained as advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco, and borrowings from other financial institutions.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $400.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.89% at September 30, 2015, compared to $450.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.85% at December 31, 2014. In the first nine months of 2014, the Company prepaid securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.50% and incurred prepayment penalties of $3.4 million compared to no repayments in the first nine months of 2015. As of September 30, 2015, four floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $200.0 million with weighted average rate of 5.0% and final maturity in January 2017 have initial floating rates for one year, with floating rates of the three-month LIBOR rate minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.89% to 5.07%. As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $200.0 million with a weighted average rate of 2.78%. Final maturity for the four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements is $50.0 million in August 2016, $50.0 million in July 2017, $50.0 million in June 2018, and $50.0 million in July 2018.

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold. The Company may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $439.8 million as of September 30, 2015, and $516.3 million as of December 31, 2014.

Borrowing from the FHLB. As of September 30, 2015, over-night borrowings from the FHLB were zero compared to $400.0 million at a rate of 0.27% at December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, the advances from the FHLB were $75.0 million at a rate of 0.87% compared to $25.0 million at a rate of 1.13% at December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, FHLB advances of $50.0 million will mature in January 2017 and $25 million will mature in March 2018.

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Long-term Debt

Long-term debt was $119.1 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $119.1 million at December 31, 2014. Long-term debt is comprised of Junior Subordinated Notes, which qualify as Tier I capital for regulatory purposes, issued in connection with our various pooled trust preferred securities offerings.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations to make future payments as of September 30, 2015. Payments for deposits and borrowings do not include interest. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in the underlying contracts.

	Payment Due by Period
			More than		3 years or
			1 year but		more but
	1 year		less than		less than		5 years
	or less		3 years		5 years		or more		Total
	(In thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Deposits with stated maturity dates	$	3,787,425	$	1,231,496	$	57,478	$	11	$	5,076,410
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (1)		-		200,000		-		-		200,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (2)		50,000		150,000		-		-		200,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank		-		75,000		-		-		75,000
Other borrowings		-		-		-		18,721		18,721
Long-term debt		-		-		-		119,136		119,136
Operating leases		7,585		11,502		5,596		5,215		29,898
Total contractual obligations and other commitments	$	3,845,010	$	1,667,998	$	63,074	$	143,083	$	5,719,165

(1) These repurchase agreements have a final maturity of 10-years from origination date but are callable on a quarterly basis after one year.

(2) These repurchase agreements are non-callable.

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Loan Commitments. We enter into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of our commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. We minimize our exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. Management assesses the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit in determining the level of the allowance for credit losses.

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Standby Letters of Credit. Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by us to secure the obligations of a customer to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of an agreement with the third party, we would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, we would be entitled to seek reimbursement from the customer. Our policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.

Capital Resources

Total equity was $1.73 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $129.2 million, or 8.1%, from $1.60 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases in net income of $119.7 million and equity consideration for the aquisition of Asia Bancshares of $82.8 million offset by repurchases of common stock of $50.7 million and common stock cash dividends of $30.7 million. Under the terms of the aquisition of Asia Bancshares, which was completed on July 31, 2015, we issued 2.58 million shares of our common stock and paid $57.0 million in cash for all of the issued and outstanding stock of Asia Bancshares.

The following table summarizes changes in total equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	September 30, 2015
(In thousands)
Net income	$	119,663
Stock issued to directors		495
Stock options and warrant exercised		3,442
Proceeds from shares issued through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan		3,627
Shares withheld related to net share settlement of RSUs		(204	)
Net tax short-fall from stock-based compensation expense		(5,602	)
Share-based compensation		3,428
Other comprehensive income		2,972
Equity consideration for aquisition		82,769
Purchase of treasury stock		(50,701	)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders		(30,690	)
Net increase in total equity	$	129,199

Capital Adequacy Review

Management seeks to maintain the Company’s capital at a level sufficient to support future growth, protect depositors and stockholders, and comply with various regulatory requirements.

Both Bancorp’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital continued to exceed the regulatory minimum requirements under Basel III rules that became effective January 1, 2015, with transitional provisions as of September 30, 2015. In addition, the capital ratios of the Bank place it in the “well capitalized” category which is defined as institutions with a common equity tier 1 capital ratio equal to or greater than 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 8%, a total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10%, and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio equal to or greater than 5%.

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The following table presents Bancorp’s and the Bank’s capital and leverage ratios as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	Cathay General Bancorp								Cathay Bank
	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014				September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance		%		Balance		%		Balance		%		Balance		%
Common equtiy Tier 1 capital ( to risk-weighted assets)	$	1,360,799		12.89		n/a		n/a	$	1,426,899		13.55		n/a		n/a
Common equtiy Tier 1 capital minimum requirement		66,430		4.50		n/a		n/a		64,210		4.50		n/a		n/a
Excess	$	1,294,369		8.39		n/a		n/a	$	1,362,689		9.05		n/a		n/a
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)	$	1,476,232		13.98	$	1,406,511		14.96	$	1,426,899		13.55	$	1,353,481		14.42
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement		88,574		6.00		56,260		4.00		85,614		6.00		54,139		4.00
Excess	$	1,387,658		7.98	$	1,350,251		10.96	$	1,341,285		7.55	$	1,299,342		10.42
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)	$	1,610,571		15.25	$	1,524,702		16.22	$	1,558,817		14.80	$	1,471,337		15.68
Total capital minimum requirement		118,099		8.00		112,521		8.00		114,152		8.00		108,278		8.00
Excess	$	1,492,472		7.25	$	1,412,181		8.22	$	1,444,665		6.80	$	1,363,059		7.68
Tier 1 capital (to average assets) – Leverage ratio	$	1,476,232		12.24	$	1,406,511		12.99	$	1,426,899		11.86	$	1,353,481		12.52
Minimum leverage requirement		482,502		4.00		433,121		4.00		481,420		4.00		432,350		4.00
Excess	$	993,730		8.24	$	973,390		8.99	$	945,479		7.86	$	921,131		8.52
Risk-weighted assets	$	10,559,331			$	9,401,803			$	10,533,802			$	9,382,961
Total average assets (1)	$	12,062,540			$	10,828,015			$	12,035,512			$	10,808,747

(1) The quarterly total average assets reflect all debt securities at amortized cost, equity security with readily determinable fair values at the lower of cost or fair value, and equity securities without readily determinable fair values at historical cost.

* Basel III rules became effective January 1, 2015, with transitional provisions. All prior period data is based on Basel I rules.

In July 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies adopted final regulations which revised their risk-based and leverage capital requirements for banking organizations to meet requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act and to implement international agreements reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision that were intended to improve both the quality and quantity of banking organizations’ capital (“Basel III”). Although many of the rules contained in these final regulations are applicable only to large, internationally active banks, some of them will apply on a phased-in basis to all banking organizations, including Bancorp and the Bank.

57

The following are among the new requirements that are being phased in beginning January 1, 2015:

• An increase in the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio from 4.00%, to 6.00% of risk-weighted assets.

• A new category and a required 4.50% of risk-weighted assets ratio is established for “common equity Tier 1” as a subset of Tier 1 capital limited to common equity.

• A minimum non-risk-based leverage ratio is set at 4.00% eliminating a 3.00% exception for higher rated banks.

• Changes in the permitted composition of Tier 1 capital to exclude trust preferred securities, mortgage servicing rights and certain deferred tax assets, and to include unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt and equity securities.

• A new additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk weighted assets over each of the required capital ratios that will be phased in from 2016 to 2019 and must be met to avoid limitations in the ability of the Company to pay dividends, repurchase shares, or pay discretionary bonuses.

• The risk-weights of certain assets for purposes of calculating the risk-based capital ratios are changed for high volatility commercial real estate acquisition, development and construction loans, certain past due non-residential mortgage loans and certain mortgage-backed and other securities exposures.

• An additional “countercyclical capital buffer” is required for larger and more complex institutions.

Dividend Policy

Holders of common stock are entitled to dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so. The amount of future dividends will depend on our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors, and will be determined by our Board of Directors. We are subject to Federal Reserve supervisory policies and, until July 28, 2015, a requirement that we inform and consult with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco sufficiently in advance of any planned capital actions (i.e. increased dividend payments or stock redemptions). After prior notification to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, our Board of Directors increased the common stock dividend to $.07 per share in June 2014, $0.10 per share in December 2014, and $0.14 per share in June 2015. The terms of our Junior Subordinated Notes also limit our ability to pay dividends.

The Company declared a cash dividend of $.14 per share on 82,284,416 shares outstanding on September 1, 2015, for distribution to holders of our common stock on September 11, 2015, $.14 per share on 79,914,209 shares outstanding on June 2, 2015, for distribution to holders of our common stock on June 12, 2015, and $.10 per share on 79,823,624 shares outstanding on March 2, 2015, for distribution to holders of our common stock on March 12, 2015. Total cash dividends of $30.7 million were paid during the first nine months of 2015.

Country Risk Exposures

The Company’s total assets were $12.7 billion and total foreign country risk net exposures were $694.7 million at September 30, 2015. Total foreign country risk net exposures at September 30, 2015, were comprised primarily of $330.6 million from Hong Kong, $104.8 million from China, $77.5 million from England, $48.9 million from Switzerland, $30.0 million from Australia, $28.7 million from Germany, $23.7 million from France, $20.0 million from Philippines, $15.2 million from Taiwan, $6.6 million from Singapore, $4.5 million from Canada, and $2.0 million from Macau. Risk is determined based on location of the borrowers, issuers, and counterparties.

All foreign country risk net exposures were to non-sovereign counterparties except $31.6 million due from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority at September 30, 2015.

Unfunded loans to foreign entities exposures were $0.7 million to a borrower of Taiwan residence at September 30, 2015.

58

Financial Derivatives

It is the policy of the Company not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, the Company enters into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We believe that these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. In such instances, the Company may enter into interest rate swap contracts or other types of financial derivatives. Prior to considering any hedging activities, we seek to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges must be approved by the Bank’s Investment Committee.

The Company follows ASC Topic 815 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge. Fair value is determined using third-party models with observable market data. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reflected in current earnings, together with changes in the fair value of the related hedged item if there is a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged. If there is not a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged, then only the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, Bancorp entered into five interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $119.1 million for a period of ten years. The objective of these interest rate swap contracts, which were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, was to hedge on Bancorp’s $119.1 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures that had been issued to five trusts, with the quarterly interest payments throughout the ten-year period beginning in June 2014 and ending in June 2024, from the risk of variability of these payments resulting from changes in the three-month LIBOR interest rate. Bancorp pays a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.61% and receives a variable interest rate of the three-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 0.33%. As of September 30, 2015, the notional amount of cash flow interest rate swaps was $119.1 million and their unrealized loss of $4.2 million, net of taxes, was included in other comprehensive income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $706,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $723,000 for the same quarter a year ago. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $2.1 million compared to $824,000 for the same period in 2014.

59

In 2014 and 2015, the Bank entered into interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $342.8 million for various terms from four to eight years. These interest rate swap contracts are matched to individual fixed-rate commercial real estate loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio. These contracts have been designated as hedging instruments to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of the underlying commercial real estate loan due to changes in interest rates. The swap contracts are structured so that the notional amounts reduce over time to match the contractual amortization of the underlying loan and allow prepayments with the same pre-payment penalty amounts as the related loan. The Bank pays a weighted average fixed rate of 4.69% and receives a variable rate at the one month LIBOR rate plus a weighted average spread of 321 basis points, or at a weighted average rate of 3.41%. As of September 30, 2015, the notional amount of fair value interest rate swaps was $338.1 million and their unrealized loss of $3.7 million was included in other non-interest income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $831,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $580,000 for the same quarter a year ago. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $606,000 for the same period a year ago. As of September 30, 2015, the ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant.

Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Institutional counterparties must have a strong credit profile and be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s credit exposure on interest rate swaps is limited to the net favorable value and interest payments of all swaps by each counterparty. Credit exposure may be reduced by the amount of collateral pledged by the counterparty. Bancorp’s interest rate swaps have been assigned by the counterparties to a derivatives clearing organization and daily margin is indirectly maintained with the derivatives clearing organization. Cash posted as collateral by Bancorp related to derivative contracts totaled $10.6 million as of September 30, 2015.

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign exchange certificates of deposit or foreign exchange contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign exchange certificates of deposit and foreign exchange contracts are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At September 30, 2015, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $129.7 million had a positive fair value of $3.4 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $144.7 million had a negative fair value of $4.9 million at September 30, 2015. At December 31, 2014, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $167.0 million had a positive fair value of $1.9 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $178.9 million had a negative fair value of $5.0 million at December 31, 2014.

Liquidity

Liquidity is our ability to maintain sufficient cash flow to meet maturing financial obligations and customer credit needs, and to take advantage of investment opportunities as they are presented in the marketplace. Our principal sources of liquidity are growth in deposits, proceeds from the maturity or sale of securities and other financial instruments, repayments from securities and loans, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and advances from the FHLB. For September 2015, our average monthly liquidity ratio (defined as net cash plus short-term and marketable securities to net deposits and short-term liabilities) was 14.2% compared to a daily liquidity ratio of 14.9% as of December 31, 2014.

60

The Bank is a shareholder of the FHLB of San Francisco, enabling it to have access to lower cost FHLB financing when necessary. As of September 30, 2015, the Bank had an approved credit line with the FHLB totaling $4.4 billion. Advances from the FHLB were $75 million and standby letter of credits issued by FHLB on the Company’s behalf were $165.0 million at September 30, 2015. The Bank expects to be able to access this source of funding, if required, in the near term. The Bank has pledged a portion of its commercial loans to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Discount Window under the Borrower-in-Custody program to secure these borrowings. At September 30, 2015, the borrowing capacity under the Borrower-in-Custody program was $100.1 million.

Liquidity can also be provided through the sale of liquid assets, which consist of federal funds sold, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and unpledged investment securities. At September 30, 2015, investment securities totaled $1.38 billion, with $457.0 million pledged as collateral for borrowings and other commitments. The remaining $923.8 million was available as additional liquidity or to be pledged as collateral for additional borrowings.

Approximately 74.6% of the Company’s time deposits mature within one year or less as of September 30, 2015. Management anticipates that there may be some outflow of these deposits upon maturity due to the keen competition in the Bank’s marketplace. However, based on our historical run-off experience, we expect that the outflow will be minimal and can be replenished through our normal growth in deposits. Management believes the above-mentioned sources will provide adequate liquidity to the Bank to meet its daily operating needs.

The business activities of Bancorp consist primarily of the operation of the Bank and limited activities in other investments. The Bank paid dividends to Bancorp totaling $30.0 million in 2014. The Bank paid dividends to Bancorp totaling $135.3 million in the first nine months of 2015.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We use a net interest income simulation model to measure the extent of the differences in the behavior of the lending and funding rates to changing interest rates, so as to project future earnings or market values under alternative interest rate scenarios. Interest rate risk arises primarily through the Company’s traditional business activities of extending loans and accepting deposits. Many factors, including economic and financial conditions, movements in interest rates, and consumer preferences affect the spread between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities. The net interest income simulation model is designed to measure the volatility of net interest income and net portfolio value, defined as net present value of assets and liabilities, under immediate rising or falling interest rate scenarios in 100 basis point increments.

Although the modeling is very helpful in managing interest rate risk, it does require significant assumptions for the projection of loan prepayment rates on mortgage related assets, loan volumes and pricing, and deposit and borrowing volume and pricing, that might prove inaccurate. Because these assumptions are inherently uncertain, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income, or precisely predict the effect of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, the differences between actual experience and the assumed volume, changes in market conditions, and management strategies, among other factors. The Company monitors its interest rate sensitivity and attempts to reduce the risk of a significant decrease in net interest income caused by a change in interest rates.

61

We have established a tolerance level in our policy to define and limit net interest income volatility to a change of plus or minus 5% when the hypothetical rate change is plus or minus 200 basis points. When the net interest rate simulation projects that our tolerance level will be met or exceeded, we seek corrective action after considering, among other things, market conditions, customer reaction, and the estimated impact on profitability. The Company’s simulation model also projects the net economic value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities. We have established a tolerance level in our policy to limit the loss in the net economic value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities to zero when the hypothetical rate change is plus or minus 200 basis points.

The table below shows the estimated impact of changes in interest rate on net interest income and market value of equity as of September 30, 2015:

	Net Interest		Market Value
	Income		of Equity
Change in Interest Rate (Basis Points)	Volatility (1)		Volatility (2)
+200		12.3		2.2
+100		5.5		1.0
-100		-1.2		0.8
-200		-1.5		4.2

(1) The percentage change in this column represents net interest income of the Company for 12 months in a stable interest rate environment versus the net interest income in the various rate scenarios.

(2) The percentage change in this column represents net portfolio value of the Company in a stable interest rate environment versus the net portfolio value in the various rate scenarios.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third fiscal quarter of 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Bancorp’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cathay Bank, is a party to ordinary routine litigation from time to time incidental to various aspects of its operations. Management does not believe that any such litigation is expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

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ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS.

There is no material change in the risk factors as previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, in response to Item 1A in Part I of Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period	(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased	(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)	(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
Month #1 (July 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015)	0	$0	0	622,500
Month #2 (August 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015)	622,500	$29.08	622,500	2,000,000
Month #3 (September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015)	1,084,750	$30.05	1,084,750	915,250
Total	1,707,250	$29.70	1,707,250	915,250

(1) On August 31, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors announced a repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of its common stock.

For a discussion of limitations on the payment of dividends, see “Dividend Policy,” and “Liquidity” under Part I—Item 2—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

64

ITEM 3.     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.     OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS.

Exhibit 31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 101.INS XBRL Instance Document *

Exhibit 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*

Exhibit 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*

Exhibit 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*

Exhibit 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*

Exhibit 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

____________________

* XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information shall not be deemed to be filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise shall not be subject to liability under these sections, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

65

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Cathay General Bancorp

(Registrant)

Date: November 5, 2015
	/s/ Dunson K. Cheng
	Dunson K. Cheng Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 5, 2015
	/s/ Heng W. Cheng
	Heng W. Chen Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

66

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

I, Dunson K. Cheng, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cathay General Bancorp;

2.     Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Dunson K. Cheng                            

Dunson K. Cheng

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 5, 2015

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

I, Heng W. Chen, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cathay General Bancorp;

2.     Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Heng W. Chen                             

Heng W. Chen

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 5, 2015

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CEO CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Dunson K. Cheng, chief executive officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)     The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Dunson K. Cheng                           

Dunson K. Cheng

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 5, 2015

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CFO CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Cathay General Bancorp (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Heng W. Chen, chief financial officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)     The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Heng W. Chen                              

Heng W. Chen

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 5, 2015

XML

Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Restricted Stock Units - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]
Balance	386,465
Granted	72,900	17,601
Vested	(24,892)
Forfeited	(7,846)
Balance	426,627

XML

Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Portfolio by Risk Rating - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	$ 10,039,932,000	$ 8,914,080,000
Loans held for sale	0	973,000
Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	9,586,395,000	8,483,654,000
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	217,985,000	153,589,000
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	224,422,000	274,498,000
Loans held for sale		973,000
Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	11,130,000	2,339,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	2,362,059,000	2,382,493,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	2,201,557,000	2,260,474,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	92,219,000	47,619,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	67,025,000	72,561,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	1,258,000	1,839,000
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	405,278,000	298,654,000
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	381,972,000	272,927,000
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	1,014,000
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	21,792,000	25,227,000
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	500,000	500,000
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	5,275,570,000	4,486,443,000
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	5,015,411,000	4,213,453,000
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	124,350,000	105,970,000
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	126,437,000	167,020,000
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	9,372,000
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	1,991,254,000	1,742,938,000
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member] | Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	1,981,684,000	1,733,248,000
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	402,000
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	9,168,000	9,690,000
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	5,771,000	3,552,000
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans	$ 5,771,000	$ 3,552,000

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Impaired Loans and Related Allowance for Credit Losses - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
With no allocated allowance
Loans with no related allowance, unpaid principal balance	$ 140,350	$ 132,395
Loans with no related allowance, recorded investment	107,819	113,167
With allocated allowance
Loans with related allowance, unpaid principal balance	58,365	78,225
Loans with related allowance, recorded investment	53,303	61,352
Allowance	14,323	11,798
Total impaired loans	198,715	210,620
Total impaired loans	161,122	174,519
Total impaired loans	14,323	11,798
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
With no allocated allowance
Loans with no related allowance, unpaid principal balance	15,425	19,479
Loans with no related allowance, recorded investment	14,397	18,452
With allocated allowance
Loans with related allowance, unpaid principal balance	16,629	7,003
Loans with related allowance, recorded investment	13,233	5,037
Allowance	7,561	1,263
Total impaired loans	7,561	1,263
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
With no allocated allowance
Loans with no related allowance, unpaid principal balance	48,495	32,924
Loans with no related allowance, recorded investment	22,292	17,025
With allocated allowance
Loans with related allowance, unpaid principal balance		19,006
Loans with related allowance, recorded investment		8,703
Allowance		1,077
Total impaired loans		1,077
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
With no allocated allowance
Loans with no related allowance, unpaid principal balance	73,980	77,474
Loans with no related allowance, recorded investment	68,680	75,172
With allocated allowance
Loans with related allowance, unpaid principal balance	27,526	38,197
Loans with related allowance, recorded investment	26,339	34,022
Allowance	6,389	8,993
Total impaired loans	6,389	8,993
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
With no allocated allowance
Loans with no related allowance, unpaid principal balance	2,450	2,518
Loans with no related allowance, recorded investment	2,450	2,518
With allocated allowance
Loans with related allowance, unpaid principal balance	14,210	14,019
Loans with related allowance, recorded investment	13,731	13,590
Allowance	373	465
Total impaired loans	$ 373	$ 465

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Allowance for Loan Losses by Portfolio Segment and Based on Impairment Method - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, allowance	$ 14,323	$ 11,798
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, balance	161,121	174,519
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, allowance	135,753	149,622
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, balance	9,878,811	8,739,561
Loans, allowance	150,076	161,420
Loans	10,039,932	8,914,080
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, allowance	7,561	1,263
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, balance	27,630	23,489
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, allowance	47,316	46,238
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, balance	2,334,429	2,359,004
Loans, allowance	54,877	47,501
Loans	2,362,059	2,382,493
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, allowance		1,077
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, balance	22,292	25,728
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, allowance	26,466	26,575
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, balance	382,986	272,926
Loans, allowance	26,466	27,652
Loans	405,278	298,654
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, allowance	6,389	8,993
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, balance	95,019	109,194
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, allowance	49,644	65,680
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, balance	5,180,551	4,377,249
Loans, allowance	56,033	74,673
Loans	5,275,570	4,486,443
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, allowance	373	465
Loans individually evaluated for impairment, balance	16,180	16,108
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, allowance	12,304	11,113
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, balance	1,975,074	1,726,830
Loans, allowance	12,677	11,578
Loans	1,991,254	1,742,938
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, allowance	23	16
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment, balance	5,771	3,552
Loans, allowance	23	16
Loans	$ 5,771	$ 3,552

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Components of Loans in Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Type of Loans:
Loans	$ 10,039,932,000	$ 8,914,080,000
Less:
Allowance for loan losses	(150,076,000)	(161,420,000)
Unamortized deferred loan fees	(9,592,000)	(12,392,000)
Total loans, net	9,880,264,000	8,740,268,000
Loans held for sale	0	973,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	2,362,059,000	2,382,493,000
Less:
Allowance for loan losses	(54,877,000)	(47,501,000)
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	1,816,464,000	1,570,059,000
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	5,275,570,000	4,486,443,000
Less:
Allowance for loan losses	(56,033,000)	(74,673,000)
Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	174,790,000	172,879,000
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	405,278,000	298,654,000
Less:
Allowance for loan losses	(26,466,000)	(27,652,000)
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans	5,771,000	3,552,000
Less:
Allowance for loan losses	$ (23,000)	$ (16,000)

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Note 1 - Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Limited Partnerships in Housing Investments	7
Percentage of Subsidiaries Common Securities Owned by Parent Company	100.00%
Number of Business Trust	5
Southern California [Member]
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	21
Northern California Member
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	12
NEW YORK
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	12
ILLINOIS
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	3
WASHINGTON
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	3
TEXAS
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	2
MASSACHUSETTS
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	1
NEW JERSEY
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	1
MARYLAND
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	1
NEVADA
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	1
HONG KONG
Note 1 - Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Branch Locations	1

XML

Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	$ 400,000,000	$ 450,000,000
Weighted Average Rate of Securities Sold Under Agreements	3.89%	3.85%
Prepaid Security Sold Under Repurchase Agreement			$ 100,000,000
Rate of Prepaid Security Sold Under Repurchase Agreements			3.50%
Prepayment Penalty Security Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase	$ 0		$ 3,400,000
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Maturities Summary, Due in Next Twelve Months	0	$ 400,000,000
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Branch of FHLB Bank, Interest Rate		0.27%
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank Advances	$ 75,000,000	$ 25,000,000
Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, Branch of FHLB Bank, Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.87%	1.13%
Mature in July 2015 [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank Advances	$ 50,000,000
Mature in March 2018 [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank Advances	25,000,000
Callable Securities [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase	$ 200,000,000
Weighted Average Rate of Securities Sold Under Agreements		2.78%
Number of Floating-to-fixed Rate Agreements	4	4
Non Callable Fixed Rate Securities [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase		$ 200,000,000
Weighted Average Rate of Securities Sold Under Agreements	2.78%
Mature in August 2016 [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 50,000,000
Mature in July 2017 [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	50,000,000
Mature in June 2018 [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	50,000,000
Mature in July 2018 [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	$ 50,000,000
Floating to Fixed Rate Agreements Totaling $200 Million [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Floating-to-fixed Rate Agreements	4
Total Floating to Fixed Rate	$ 200,000,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.00%
Floating Interest Rate, Range of Time Period	1 year
Floating to Fixed Rate Agreements Totaling $200 Million [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.07%
Floating to Fixed Rate Agreements Totaling $200 Million [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.40%
Floating to Fixed Rate Agreements Totaling $200 Million [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.89%
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Member]
Note 10 - Borrowed Funds (Details) [Line Items]
Investment Securities Pledged As Collateral	$ 439,800,000	$ 516,300,000

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Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income	$	38,483	$	35,909	$	119,663	$	102,252
Weighted-average shares:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		81,475,288		79,677,952		80,422,711		79,639,202
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Warrants		606,803		346,101		507,002		306,306
Options		123,910		109,803		124,135		103,022
Restricted stock units		79,477		42,244		51,343		39,289
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		82,285,478		80,176,100		81,105,191		80,087,819
Average stock options and warrants with anti-dilutive effect		760,291		1,990,358		1,082,400		1,993,384
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.47	$	0.45	$	1.49	$	1.28
Diluted	$	0.47	$	0.45	$	1.48	$	1.28

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring [Line Items]
No. of Loans	27	14
Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 19,007	$ 24,817
Post-Modification Recorded Investment	18,859	24,817
Charge-offs	148
Special Reserve	$ 84	$ 606
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring [Line Items]
No. of Loans	3	6
Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 1,156	$ 10,773
Post-Modification Recorded Investment	1,156	10,773
Special Reserve	$ 1	$ 26
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring [Line Items]
No. of Loans	19	3
Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 16,329	$ 11,818
Post-Modification Recorded Investment	16,329	11,818
Special Reserve	$ 38	$ 564
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring [Line Items]
No. of Loans	5	5
Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 1,522	$ 2,226
Post-Modification Recorded Investment	1,374	2,226
Charge-offs	148
Special Reserve	$ 45	$ 16

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Note 7 - Investment Securities (Details) - Investment Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 1,378,088	$ 1,324,408
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized gains	6,933	6,326
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses	4,142	11,799
Securities available-for-sale	1,380,879	1,318,935
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	284,603	664,206
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized gains	388	63
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses		265
Securities available-for-sale	284,991	664,004
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	1,005,527	549,296
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized gains	1,066	1,393
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses	2,195	6,386
Securities available-for-sale	1,004,398	544,303
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	67	79
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses	29	34
Securities available-for-sale	38	45
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	74,952	94,943
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized gains	370	776
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses	1,492	1,247
Securities available-for-sale	73,830	94,472
Mutual Funds [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	6,000	6,000
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses	101	134
Securities available-for-sale	5,899	5,866
Preferred Stock of Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	2,811	6,276
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized gains	1,706	681
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses		3,733
Securities available-for-sale	4,517	3,224
Other Equity Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	4,128	3,608
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized gains	3,403	3,413
Securities available-for-sale, gross unrealized losses	325
Securities available-for-sale	$ 7,206	$ 7,021

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Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Maximum Period of Common Stock Granted						10 years
Annual Increments to Be Vested in Common Stock Units		20.00%				20.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross (in Shares)						0	0
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		$ 0			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period (in Shares)		74,000	69,600	3,750		147,350	0
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised						$ 3,433,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value						$ 1,300,000
Shares Available for Future Grant Calculated Based On Maximum of Earned Shares from TSR & EPS RSU (in Shares)		3,358,201				3,358,201
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in Shares)						72,900	17,601
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in Dollars per share)						$ 28.11	$ 24.66
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period						3 years	2 years
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense		$ 1,200,000			$ 1,000,000	$ 3,400,000	$ 2,900,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		$ 5,200,000				$ 5,200,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition						2 years
Performance TSR Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in Shares)	60,456
Performance EPS Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in Shares)	57,642

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings - Non Accruing Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	$ 41,806	$ 42,595	$ 41,618	$ 34,162	$ 43,605	$ 38,769
Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	14,372		18,366
Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	27,434		22,392
Rate Reduction [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs			860
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	2,338		3,552
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	2,248		1,423
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	90		1,269
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs			860
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	16,079		19,462
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	10,172
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	5,907		19,462
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	22,280		16,890
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	1,555		15,917
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	20,725		973
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	1,109		1,714
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	397		1,026
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Non-accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Line Items]
Non-accrual TDRs	$ 712		$ 688

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Note 17 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale	$ (1,125)	$ (8,896)	$ (3,172)	$ (29,729)
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(1,657)		(2,397)
Total	(2,782)	(8,896)	(5,569)	(29,729)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	2,733	170	2,837	25,014
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(2,558)	100	(1,818)	(163)
Total	304	463	1,758	42,876
Total	129	193	739	18,025
Total	175	270	1,019	24,851
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale	(10)	209	(1,953)	3,957
Total	16	(361)	3,369	(6,827)
Total	6	(152)	1,416	(2,870)
Total	10	(209)	1,953	(3,957)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Total	320	102	5,127	36,049
Total	135	41	2,155	15,155
Total	185	61	2,972	20,894
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale	1,618	(8,935)	1,618	(8,935)
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(4,215)	100	(4,215)	100
Total	(2,597)	(8,835)	(2,597)	(8,835)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	4,717	292	4,895	43,157
Securities available-for sale	1,984	122	2,058	18,143
Securities available-for sale	2,733	170	2,837	25,014
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale	16	(361)	3,369	(6,827)
Securities available-for sale	6	(152)	1,416	(2,870)
Securities available-for sale	10	(209)	1,953	(3,957)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Securities available-for sale	4,733	(69)	8,264	36,330
Securities available-for sale	1,990	(30)	3,474	15,273
Securities available-for sale	2,743	(39)	4,790	21,057
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(4,413)	171	(3,137)	(281)
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(1,855)	71	(1,319)	(118)
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(2,558)	100	(1,818)	(163)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(4,413)	171	(3,137)	(281)
Cash flow hedge derivatives	(1,855)	71	(1,319)	(118)
Cash flow hedge derivatives	$ (2,558)	$ 100	$ (1,818)	$ (163)

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Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured On a Non-recurring Basis - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	$ 58,940				$ 58,940				$ 76,234
Asset Impairment Charges	835		$ 548		4,992		$ 1,158		4,596		$ 3,344
Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	41,173				41,173				49,554
Asset Impairment Charges	575		547		4,180		564		3,958		6,069
Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	12,483	[1]			12,483	[1]			20,568	[2]
Asset Impairment Charges	179	[1]	(48)	[1]	404	[1]	277	[1]	202	[2]	(3,134)	[2]
Investments in Venture Capital [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	5,284				5,284				5,495
Asset Impairment Charges	81		49		408		317		436		409
Equity Investments [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring									617
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	7,866				7,866				3,774
Asset Impairment Charges	575				3,380		17		17		5,731
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	19,950				19,950				25,029
Asset Impairment Charges			515		654		515		3,914		125
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	$ 13,357				13,357				13,126
Asset Impairment Charges			$ 32		$ 146		$ 32		27		$ 213
Construction - Other Loans [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring									7,625
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring									$ 617
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring		[1]				[1]				[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Investments [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring									$ 617
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	$ 8,247				$ 8,247				16,458
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	8,247	[1]			8,247	[1]			16,458	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	50,693				50,693				59,159
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	41,173				41,173				49,554
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Real Estate Owned [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	4,236	[1]			4,236	[1]			4,110	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Investments in Venture Capital [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	5,284				5,284				5,495
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	7,866				7,866				3,774
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	19,950				19,950				25,029
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring	$ 13,357				$ 13,357				13,126
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Construction - Other Loans [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Assets
Assets Fair Value Disclosure Nonrecurring									$ 7,625

[1] Other real estate owned balance of $26.3 million in the condensed consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

[2] Other real estate owned balance of $31.5 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Average Balance and Interest Income Recognized Related to Impaired Loans - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Loans, average recorded investment	$ 160,349	$ 190,744	$ 168,472	$ 192,752
Loans, interest income recognized	1,152	1,552	3,221	4,507
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Loans, average recorded investment	23,894	21,706	24,974	26,741
Loans, interest income recognized	170	205	519	636
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Loans, average recorded investment	22,392	33,276	22,056	33,459
Loans, interest income recognized	66	66	196	198
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Loans, average recorded investment	97,557	119,611	104,508	114,663
Loans, interest income recognized	777	1,153	2,126	3,310
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Loans, average recorded investment	16,506	16,151	16,934	17,889
Loans, interest income recognized	$ 139	$ 128	$ 380	$ 363

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Note 4 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

4. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” ASU No. 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. An entity should recognize compensation cost in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. ASU 2014-12 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern," issued by the FASB in August 2014, requires an entity’s management to evaluate and disclose conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.  In addition, an entity’s management is to disclose management’s plans that alleviated or that are intended to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.  ASU 2014-15 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016.  Adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” to improve targeted areas of the consolidation guidance and reduce the number of consolidation models. The Company may either apply the amendments retrospectively or use a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30).” This update simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, which would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratable over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-03 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015.  Adoption of ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments.” This update simplifies the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. Those adjustments will be recognized to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An entity is required to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015.  Adoption of ASU 2015-16 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$ 196,342,000	$ 176,830,000	$ 200,302,000	$ 153,747,000
Cash and due from banks	196,342,000	176,830,000
Short-term investments	369,829,000	489,614,000
Short-term investments	369,829,000	489,614,000
Securities available-for-sale	1,380,879,000	1,318,935,000
Loans held for sale	0	973,000
Loans held for sale		1,225,000
Loans, net	9,880,264,000	8,740,268,000
Loans, net	9,815,077,000	8,688,072,000
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock	17,250,000	30,785,000
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock	17,250,000	30,785,000
Warrants	37,000	27,000
Warrants	37,000	27,000
Foreign exchange contracts	129,675,000	167,005,000
Foreign exchange contracts	3,363,000	1,876,000
Deposits	10,238,475,000	8,783,460,000
Deposits	10,243,411,000	8,785,342,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	400,000,000	450,000,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	418,403,000	473,816,000
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	75,000,000	425,000,000
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	75,220,000	424,974,000
Other borrowings	18,721,000	19,934,000
Other borrowings	16,291,000	17,978,000
Long-term debt	119,136,000	119,136,000
Long-term debt	58,420,000	59,425,000
Foreign exchange contracts	144,703,000	178,868,000
Foreign exchange contracts	4,895,000	5,007,000
Interest rate swaps	457,237,000	300,480,000
Interest rate swaps	11,000,000	4,626,000
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit	1,853,080,000	2,071,766,000
Commitments to extend credit	(4,879,000)	(3,442,000)
Standby letters of credit	48,273,000	53,910,000
Standby letters of credit	(216,000)	(243,000)
Other letters of credit	58,204,000	48,142,000
Other letters of credit	(31,000)	(29,000)
Bill of lading guarantees	294,000	$ 108,000
Bill of lading guarantees	$ (1,000)

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Note 7 - Investment Securities (Details) - Investments by Contractual Maturity Date - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments by Contractual Maturity Date [Abstract]
Due in one year or less		$ 184,935
Due in one year or less		185,127
Due after one year through five years		136,610
Due after one year through five years		137,407
Due after five years through ten years		45,546
Due after five years through ten years		44,172
Due after ten years (1)	[1]	1,010,997
Due after ten years (1)	[1]	1,014,173
Total		1,378,088	$ 1,324,408
Total		$ 1,380,879	$ 1,318,935

[1] Equity securities are reported in this category

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Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

September 30, 2015	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	284,991	$	-	$	-	$	284,991
Mortgage-backed securities		-		1,004,398		-		1,004,398
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		38		-		38
Corporate debt securities		-		73,830		-		73,830
Mutual funds		5,899		-		-		5,899
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		-		4,517		-		4,517
Other equity securities		-		7,206		-		7,206
Total securities available-for-sale		290,890		1,089,989		-		1,380,879
Warrants		-		-		37		37
Foreign exchange contracts		-		3,363		-		3,363
Total assets	$	290,890	$	1,093,352	$	37	$	1,384,279
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	-	$	11,000	$	-	$	11,000
Foreign exchange contracts		-		4,895		-		4,895
Total liabilities	$	-	$	15,895	$	-	$	15,895

December 31, 2014	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	664,004	$	-	$	-	$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities		-		544,303		-		544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		45		-		45
Corporate debt securities		-		94,472		-		94,472
Mutual funds		5,866		-		-		5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		-		3,224		-		3,224
Other equity securities		-		7,021		-		7,021
Total securities available-for-sale		669,870		649,065		-		1,318,935
Warrants		-		-		27		27
Foreign exchange contracts		-		1,876		-		1,876
Total assets	$	669,870	$	650,941	$	27	$	1,320,838
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	-	$	4,626	$	-	$	4,626
Foreign exchange contracts		-		5,007		-		5,007
Total liabilities	$	-	$	9,633	$	-	$	9,633

Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015								Total Losses / (Gains)
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2015		September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	-	$	-	$	7,866	$	7,866	$	575	$	-		$	3,380	$	17
Commercial mortgage loans		-		-		19,950		19,950		-		515			654		515
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		-		-		13,357		13,357		-		32			146		32
Total impaired loans		-		-		41,173		41,173		575		547			4,180		564
Other real estate owned (1)		-		8,247		4,236		12,483		179		(48	)		404		277
Investments in venture capital		-		-		5,284		5,284		81		49			408		317
Total assets	$	-	$	8,247	$	50,693	$	58,940	$	835	$	548		$	4,992	$	1,158

	December 31, 2014								Total Losses / (Gains)
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at		Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	-	$	-	$	3,774	$	3,774	$	17	$	5,731
Commercial mortgage loans		-		-		25,029		25,029		3,914		125
Construction- other		-		-		7,625		7,625		-		-
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		-		-		13,126		13,126		27		213
Total impaired loans		-		-		49,554		49,554		3,958		6,069
Other real estate owned (1)		-		16,458		4,110		20,568		202		(3,134	)
Investments in venture capital		-		-		5,495		5,495		436		409
Equity investments		617		-		-		617		-		-
Total assets	$	617	$	16,458	$	59,159	$	76,234	$	4,596	$	3,344

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Note 8 - Loans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Note 8 - Loans (Tables) [Line Items]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	2,362,059		$	2,382,493
Residential mortgage loans		1,816,464			1,570,059
Commercial mortgage loans		5,275,570			4,486,443
Equity lines		174,790			172,879
Real estate construction loans		405,278			298,654
Installment and other loans		5,771			3,552
Gross loans	$	10,039,932		$	8,914,080
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(150,076	)		(161,420	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(9,592	)		(12,392	)
Total loans, net	$	9,880,264		$	8,740,268
Loans held for sale	$	-		$	973

Impaired Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]

	Impaired Loans
	Average Recorded Investment								Interest Income Recognized
	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	23,894	$	21,706	$	24,974	$	26,741	$	170	$	205	$	519	$	636
Real estate construction loans		22,392		33,276		22,056		33,459		66		66		196		198
Commercial mortgage loans		97,557		119,611		104,508		114,663		777		1,153		2,126		3,310
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		16,506		16,151		16,934		17,889		139		128		380		363
Total impaired loans	$	160,349	$	190,744	$	168,472	$	192,752	$	1,152	$	1,552	$	3,221	$	4,507

Schedule of Impaired Loans and Related Allowance and Charge-off [Table Text Block]

	Impaired Loans
	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(In thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	15,425	$	14,397	$	-	$	19,479	$	18,452	$	-
Real estate construction loans		48,495		22,292		-		32,924		17,025		-
Commercial mortgage loans		73,980		68,680		-		77,474		75,172		-
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		2,450		2,450		-		2,518		2,518		-
Subtotal	$	140,350	$	107,819	$	-	$	132,395	$	113,167	$	-
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	16,629	$	13,233	$	7,561	$	7,003	$	5,037	$	1,263
Real estate construction loans		-		-		-		19,006		8,703		1,077
Commercial mortgage loans		27,526		26,339		6,389		38,197		34,022		8,993
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		14,210		13,731		373		14,019		13,590		465
Subtotal	$	58,365	$	53,303	$	14,323	$	78,225	$	61,352	$	11,798
Total impaired loans	$	198,715	$	161,122	$	14,323	$	210,620	$	174,519	$	11,798

Past Due Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	5,865	$	3,896	$	-	$	14,758	$	24,519	$	2,337,540	$	2,362,059
Real estate construction loans		-		-		-		16,579		16,579		388,699		405,278
Commercial mortgage loans		1,114		241		2,573		33,214		37,142		5,238,428		5,275,570
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		95		511		-		6,690		7,296		1,983,958		1,991,254
Installment and other loans		-		-		-		-		-		5,771		5,771
Total loans	$	7,074	$	4,648	$	2,573	$	71,241	$	85,536	$	9,954,396	$	10,039,932

	December 31, 2014
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	11,595	$	1,238	$	-	$	6,983	$	19,816	$	2,362,677	$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans		1,416		-		-		19,963		21,379		277,275		298,654
Commercial mortgage loans		17,654		3,909		-		35,606		57,169		4,429,274		4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5,634		732		-		7,611		13,977		1,728,961		1,742,938
Installment and other loans		60		-		-		-		60		3,492		3,552
Total loans	$	36,359	$	5,879	$	-	$	70,163	$	112,401	$	8,801,679	$	8,914,080

Schedule of Troubled Debt Restructurings [Table Text Block]

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015								September 30, 2015
	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Charge-offs		Specific Reserve
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		3	$	1,156	$	1,156	$	-	$	1
Commercial mortgage loans		19		16,329		16,329		-		38
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5		1,522		1,374		148		45
Total		27	$	19,007	$	18,859	$	148	$	84

	Nine months ended September 30, 2014								September 30, 2014
	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Charge-offs		Specific Reserve
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		6	$	10,773	$	10,773	$	-	$	26
Commercial mortgage loans		3		11,818		11,818		-		564
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5		2,226		2,226		-		16
Total		14	$	24,817	$	24,817	$	-	$	606

Troubled Debt Restructurings on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
Accruing TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	11,010	$	-	$	1,862	$	12,872
Real estate construction loans		-		-		5,713		5,713
Commercial mortgage loans		21,700		6,064		34,041		61,805
Residential mortgage loans		5,248		1,001		3,242		9,491
Total accruing TDRs	$	37,958	$	7,065	$	44,858	$	89,881

	December 31, 2014
Accruing TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
Commercial loans	$	11,572	$	-	$	-	$	4,934	$	16,506
Real estate construction loans		5,765		-		-		-		5,765
Commercial mortgage loans		20,543		26,694		-		26,351		73,588
Residential mortgage loans		3,316		-		410		4,771		8,497
Total accruing TDRs	$	41,196	$	26,694	$	410	$	36,056	$	104,356

Non Accrual Troubled Debt Restructurings [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
Non-accrual TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,248	$	90	$	2,338
Real estate construction loans		10,172		5,907		16,079
Commercial mortgage loans		1,555		20,725		22,280
Residential mortgage loans		397		712		1,109
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	14,372	$	27,434	$	41,806

	December 31, 2014
Non-accrual TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,423	$	860	$	1,269	$	3,552
Real estate construction loans		-		-		19,462		19,462
Commercial mortgage loans		15,917		-		973		16,890
Residential mortgage loans		1,026		-		688		1,714
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	18,366	$	860	$	22,392	$	41,618

Activity Within the Troubled Debt Resturings [Table Text Block]

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
Accruing TDRs	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	100,011		$	111,136		$	104,355		$	117,597
New restructurings		427			14,900			16,853			22,997
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		723			660			723			1,622
Charge-offs		-			-			(148	)		-
Payments		(11,280	)		(3,607	)		(21,714	)		(11,897	)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		-			-			(10,188	)		(7,230	)
Ending balance	$	89,881		$	123,089		$	89,881		$	123,089

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
Non-accrual TDRs	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	42,595		$	43,605		$	41,618		$	38,769
New restructurings		1,796			34			2,006			1,820
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		-			-			10,188			7,230
Charge-offs		(3	)		(234	)		(3,246	)		(833	)
Payments		(1,859	)		(8,583	)		(8,037	)		(11,202	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		(723	)		(660	)		(723	)		(1,622	)
Ending balance	$	41,806		$	34,162		$	41,806		$	34,162

Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,201,557	$	92,219	$	67,025	$	1,258	$	2,362,059
Real estate construction loans		381,972		1,014		21,792		500		405,278
Commercial mortgage loans		5,015,411		124,350		126,437		9,372		5,275,570
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		1,981,684		402		9,168		-		1,991,254
Installment and other loans		5,771		-		-		-		5,771
Total gross loans	$	9,586,395	$	217,985	$	224,422	$	11,130	$	10,039,932

	December 31, 2014
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,260,474	$	47,619	$	72,561	$	1,839	$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans		272,927		-		25,227		500		298,654
Commercial mortgage loans		4,213,453		105,970		167,020		-		4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		1,733,248		-		9,690		-		1,742,938
Installment and other loans		3,552		-		-		-		3,552
Total gross loans	$	8,483,654	$	153,589	$	274,498	$	2,339	$	8,914,080
Loans held for sale	$	-	$	-	$	973	$	-	$	973

Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]

				Real Estate		Commercial			Residential			Installment
	Commercial			Construction		Mortgage			Mortgage Loans			and Other
	Loans			Loans		Loans			and Equity Lines			Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
June 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	47,540		$	26,304	$	67,245		$	12,323		$	25			153,437
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		10,040			121		(11,762	)		353			(2	)		(1,250	)
Charge-offs		(3,310	)		-		(97	)		-			-			(3,407	)
Recoveries		607			41		647			1			-			1,296
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		(2,703	)		41		550			1			-			(2,111	)
September 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	54,877		$	26,466	$	56,033		$	12,677		$	23		$	150,076
June 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	63,239		$	9,555	$	83,395		$	12,870		$	18		$	169,077
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		(10,839	)		25,116		(17,950	)		(1,427	)		(1	)		(5,101	)
Charge-offs		(252	)		-		(903	)		-			-			(1,155	)
Recoveries		4,148			32		2,197			-			-			6,377
Net recoveries		3,896			32		1,294			-			-			5,222
September 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	56,296		$	34,703	$	66,739		$	11,443		$	17		$	169,198

				Real Estate			Commercial			Residential			Installment
	Commercial			Construction			Mortgage			Mortgage Loans			and Other
	Loans			Loans			Loans			and Equity Lines			Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
2015 Beginning Balance	$	47,501		$	27,652		$	74,673		$	11,578		$	16		$	161,420
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		11,045			(1,349	)		(19,342	)		1,239			7			(8,400	)
Charge-offs		(6,754	)		-			(3,613	)		(161	)		-			(10,528	)
Recoveries		3,085			163			4,315			21			-			7,584
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		(3,669	)		163			702			(140	)		-			(2,944	)
September 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	54,877		$	26,466		$	56,033		$	12,677		$	23		$	150,076
Reserve for impaired loans	$	7,561		$	-		$	6,389		$	373		$	-		$	14,323
Reserve for non-impaired loans	$	47,316		$	26,466		$	49,604		$	12,304		$	23		$	135,753
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	703		$	477		$	202		$	37		$	1		$	1,420
2014 Beginning Balance	$	65,103		$	11,999		$	84,753		$	12,005		$	29		$	173,889
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		(12,067	)		24,460			(20,991	)		(562	)		(12	)		(9,172	)
Charge-offs		(7,592	)		(1,813	)		(3,327	)		-			-			(12,732	)
Recoveries		10,852			57			6,304			-			-			17,213
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		3,260			(1,756	)		2,977			-			-			4,481
September 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	56,296		$	34,703		$	66,739		$	11,443		$	17		$	169,198
Reserve for impaired loans	$	2,730		$	2,604		$	7,999		$	481		$	-		$	13,814
Reserve for non-impaired loans	$	53,566		$	32,099		$	58,740		$	10,962		$	17		$	155,384
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	901		$	668		$	410		$	39		$	-		$	2,018

Impairment Method [Member]

Note 8 - Loans (Tables) [Line Items]

Impaired Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]

			Real Estate		Commercial		Residential
	Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Mortgage Loans		Installment and
	Loans		Loans		Loans		and Equity Lines		Other Loans		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	7,561	$	-	$	6,389	$	373	$	-	$	14,323
Balance	$	27,630	$	22,292	$	95,019	$	16,180	$	-	$	161,121
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	47,316	$	26,466	$	49,644	$	12,304	$	23	$	135,753
Balance	$	2,334,429	$	382,986	$	5,180,551	$	1,975,074	$	5,771	$	9,878,811
Total allowance	$	54,877	$	26,466	$	56,033	$	12,677	$	23	$	150,076
Total balance	$	2,362,059	$	405,278	$	5,275,570	$	1,991,254	$	5,771	$	10,039,932
December 31, 2014
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	1,263	$	1,077	$	8,993	$	465	$	-	$	11,798
Balance	$	23,489	$	25,728	$	109,194	$	16,108	$	-	$	174,519
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	46,238	$	26,575	$	65,680	$	11,113	$	16	$	149,622
Balance	$	2,359,004	$	272,926	$	4,377,249	$	1,726,830	$	3,552	$	8,739,561
Total allowance	$	47,501	$	27,652	$	74,673	$	11,578	$	16	$	161,420
Total balance	$	2,382,493	$	298,654	$	4,486,443	$	1,742,938	$	3,552	$	8,914,080

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Allowance for Loan Losses by Portfolio Segment - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance	$ 153,437	$ 169,077	$ 161,420	$ 173,889
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses	(1,250)	(5,101)	(8,400)	(9,172)
Charge-offs	(3,407)	(1,155)	(10,528)	(12,732)
Recoveries	1,296	6,377	7,584	17,213
Net charge-offs	(2,111)	5,222	(2,944)	4,481
Balance	150,076	169,198	150,076	169,198
Reserve to impaired loans	14,323	13,814	14,323	13,814
Reserve to non-impaired loans	135,753	155,384	135,753	155,384
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	1,420	2,018	1,420	2,018
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance	47,540	63,239	47,501	65,103
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses	10,040	(10,839)	11,045	(12,067)
Charge-offs	(3,310)	(252)	(6,754)	(7,592)
Recoveries	607	4,148	3,085	10,852
Net charge-offs	(2,703)	3,896	(3,669)	3,260
Balance	54,877	56,296	54,877	56,296
Reserve to impaired loans	7,561	2,730	7,561	2,730
Reserve to non-impaired loans	47,316	53,566	47,316	53,566
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	703	901	703	901
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance	26,304	9,555	27,652	11,999
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses	121	25,116	(1,349)	24,460
Charge-offs	0	0	0	(1,813)
Recoveries	41	32	163	57
Net charge-offs	41	32	163	(1,756)
Balance	26,466	34,703	26,466	34,703
Reserve to impaired loans	0	2,604	0	2,604
Reserve to non-impaired loans	26,466	32,099	26,466	32,099
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	477	668	477	668
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance	67,245	83,395	74,673	84,753
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses	(11,762)	(17,950)	(19,342)	(20,991)
Charge-offs	(97)	(903)	(3,613)	(3,327)
Recoveries	647	2,197	4,315	6,304
Net charge-offs	550	1,294	702	2,977
Balance	56,033	66,739	56,033	66,739
Reserve to impaired loans	6,389	7,999	6,389	7,999
Reserve to non-impaired loans	49,604	58,740	49,604	58,740
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	202	410	202	410
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance	12,323	12,870	11,578	12,005
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses	353	(1,427)	1,239	(562)
Charge-offs	0	0	(161)	0
Recoveries	1	0	21	0
Net charge-offs	1		(140)	0
Balance	12,677	11,443	12,677	11,443
Reserve to impaired loans	373	481	373	481
Reserve to non-impaired loans	12,304	10,962	12,304	10,962
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	37	39	37	39
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Balance	25	18	16	29
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses	(2)	(1)	7	(12)
Charge-offs	0	0	0	0
Recoveries	0	0	0	0
Net charge-offs	0		0	0
Balance	23	17	23	17
Reserve to impaired loans	0	0	0	0
Reserve to non-impaired loans	23	17	23	17
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$ 1	$ 0	$ 1	$ 0

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Note 7 - Investment Securities (Details) - Temporarily Impaired Securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Fair Value	$ 713,835	$ 376,601
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Unrealized Losses	2,569	3,998
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Fair Value	49,502	494,754
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Unrealized Losses	1,573	7,801
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value	763,337	871,355
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses	4,142	11,799
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Fair Value	703,710
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Unrealized Losses	2,194
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Fair Value	7	425,090
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Unrealized Losses	1	6,386
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value	703,717	425,090
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses	2,195	6,386
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Fair Value	38	45
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Unrealized Losses	29	34
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value	38	45
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses	29	34
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Fair Value	9,950
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Unrealized Losses	50
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Fair Value	43,558	63,753
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Unrealized Losses	1,442	1,247
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value	53,508	63,753
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses	1,492	1,247
Mutual Funds [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Fair Value	5,899	5,866
Securities Available-for-Sale - 12 Months or longer - Unrealized Losses	101	134
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value	5,899	5,866
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses	101	134
Other Equity Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Fair Value	175
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Unrealized Losses	325
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value	175
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses	$ 325
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Fair Value		374,153
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Unrealized Losses		265
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value		374,153
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses		265
Preferred Stock of Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Fair Value		2,448
Securities Available-for-Sale - Less than 12 Months - Unrealized Losses		3,733
Securities Available-for-Sale - Fair Value		2,448
Securities Available-for-Sale - Unrealized Losses		$ 3,733

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Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	196,342	$	196,342	$	176,830	$	176,830
Short-term investments		369,829		369,829		489,614		489,614
Securities available-for-sale		1,380,879		1,380,879		1,318,935		1,318,935
Loans held for sale		-		-		973		1,225
Loans, net		9,880,264		9,815,077		8,740,268		8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250		17,250		30,785		30,785
Warrants		37		37		27		27

	Notional				Notional
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts	$	129,675	$	3,363	$	167,005	$	1,876

Financial Liabilities	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Deposits	$	10,238,475	$	10,243,411	$	8,783,460	$	8,785,342
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		400,000		418,403		450,000		473,816
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		75,000		75,220		425,000		424,974
Other borrowings		18,721		16,291		19,934		17,978
Long-term debt		119,136		58,420		119,136		59,425

	Notional				Notional
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts	$	144,703	$	4,895	$	178,868	$	5,007
Interest rate swaps		457,237		11,000		300,480		4,626

	Notional					Notional
	Amount		Fair Value			Amount		Fair Value
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,853,080	$	(4,879	)	$	2,071,766	$	(3,442	)
Standby letters of credit		48,273		(216	)		53,910		(243	)
Other letters of credit		58,204		(31	)		48,142		(29	)
Bill of lading guarantees		294		(1	)		108		-

Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
	Estimated
	Fair Value
	Measurements		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	196,342	$	196,342	$	-	$	-
Short-term investments		369,829		369,829		-		-
Securities available-for-sale		1,380,879		290,890		1,089,989		-
Loans, net		9,815,077		-		-		9,815,077
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250		-		17,250		-
Warrants		37		-		-		37
Financial Liabilities
Deposits		10,243,411		-		-		10,243,411
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		418,403		-		418,403		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		75,220		-		75,220		-
Other borrowings		16,291		-		-		16,291
Long-term debt		58,420		-		58,420		-

	December 31, 2014
	Estimated
	Fair Value
	Measurements		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	176,830	$	176,830	$	-	$	-
Short-term investments		489,614		489,614		-		-
Securities available-for-sale		1,318,935		669,870		649,065		-
Loans held-for-sale		1,225		-		-		1,225
Loans, net		8,688,072		-		-		8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		30,785		-		30,785		-
Warrants		27		-		-		27
Financial Liabilities
Deposits		8,785,342		-		-		8,785,342
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		473,816		-		473,816		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		424,974		-		424,974		-
Other borrowings		17,978		-		-		17,978
Long-term debt		59,425		-		59,425		-

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Note 16 - Balance Sheet Offsetting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet		Net Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet		Financial Instruments		Collateral Posted			Net Amount
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	400,000	$	-	$	400,000	$	-	$	(400,000	)	$	-
Derivatives	$	3,726	$	-	$	3,726	$	-	$	(3,726	)	$	-
December 31, 2014
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	450,000	$	-	$	450,000	$	-	$	(450,000	)	$	-
Derivatives	$	4,626	$	-	$	4,626	$	-	$	(4,626	)	$	-

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Note 3 - Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

3. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates subject to change are the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment, and other-than-temporary impairment.

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Note 17 - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

	Three months ended September 30, 2015									Three months ended September 30, 2014
	Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax			Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	(1,125	)							$	(8,896	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(1,657	)								-
Total							$	(2,782	)							$	(8,896	)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	$	4,717		$	1,984		$	2,733		$	292		$	122		$	170
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(4,413	)		(1,855	)		(2,558	)		171			71			100
Total		304			129			175			463			193		$	270
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale		16			6			10			(361	)		(152	)		(209	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		-			-			-			-			-			-
Total		16			6			10			(361	)		(152	)		(209	)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Securities available-for sale		4,733			1,990			2,743			(69	)		(30	)		(39	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(4,413	)		(1,855	)		(2,558	)		171			71			100
Total	$	320		$	135		$	185		$	102		$	41		$	61
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	1,618								$	(8,935	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(4,215	)								100
Total							$	(2,597	)							$	(8,835	)

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015									Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax			Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	(3,172	)							$	(29,729	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(2,397	)								-
Total							$	(5,569	)							$	(29,729	)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	$	4,895		$	2,058		$	2,837		$	43,157		$	18,143		$	25,014
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(3,137	)		(1,319	)		(1,818	)		(281	)		(118	)		(163	)
Total		1,758			739			1,019			42,876			18,025		$	24,851
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale		3,369			1,416			1,953			(6,827	)		(2,870	)		(3,957	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		-			-			-			-			-			-
Total		3,369			1,416			1,953			(6,827	)		(2,870	)		(3,957	)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Securities available-for sale		8,264			3,474			4,790			36,330			15,273			21,057
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(3,137	)		(1,319	)		(1,818	)		(281	)		(118	)		(163	)
Total	$	5,127		$	2,155		$	2,972		$	36,049		$	15,155		$	20,894
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	1,618								$	(8,672	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(4,215	)								(163	)
Total							$	(2,597	)							$	(8,835	)

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Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Tax Short-fall from Share-based Payment Arrangements - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Tax Short-fall from Share-based Payment Arrangements [Abstract]
Tax benefit/(short-fall) of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value	$ 17	$ (5,602)	$ (1,177)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value	275	6,421	$ 1,177
Total benefit of tax deductions	$ 292	$ 819

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring Activity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring Activity [Line Items]
Charge-offs			$ (148)
Accruing Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring Activity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 100,011	$ 111,136	104,356	$ 117,597
New restructurings	427	14,900	16,853	22,997
Restructured loans restored to accrual status	723	660	723	1,622
Charge-offs			(148)
Payments	(11,280)	(3,607)	(21,714)	(11,897)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual			(10,188)	(7,230)
Ending balance	89,881	123,089	89,881	123,089
Non Accruing Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Troubled Debt Restructuring Activity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	42,595	43,605	41,618	38,769
New restructurings	1,796	34	2,006	1,820
Restructured loans restored to accrual status	(723)	(660)	(723)	(1,622)
Charge-offs	(3)	(234)	(3,246)	(833)
Payments	(1,859)	(8,583)	(8,037)	(11,202)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual			10,188	7,230
Ending balance	$ 41,806	$ 34,162	$ 41,806	$ 34,162

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$ 196,342,000	$ 176,830,000
Short-term investments and interest bearing deposits	369,829,000	489,614,000
Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $1,378,088 in 2015 and $1,324,408 in 2014)	1,380,879,000	1,318,935,000
Loans held for sale	0	973,000
Loans	10,039,932,000	8,914,080,000
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(150,076,000)	(161,420,000)
Unamortized deferred loan fees, net	(9,592,000)	(12,392,000)
Loans, net	9,880,264,000	8,740,268,000
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	17,250,000	30,785,000
Other real estate owned, net	26,326,000	31,477,000
Affordable housing investmentsn and alternative energy partnerships, net	168,276,000	104,579,000
Premises and equipment, net	110,272,000	99,682,000
Customers’ liability on acceptances	35,087,000	35,656,000
Accrued interest receivable	29,418,000	25,364,000
Goodwill	373,208,000	316,340,000
Other intangible assets, net	4,108,000	3,237,000
Other assets	158,706,000	143,106,000
Total assets	12,749,965,000	11,516,846,000
Deposits
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	1,978,387,000	1,664,914,000
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW deposits	901,084,000	778,691,000
Money market deposits	1,685,943,000	1,538,187,000
Savings deposits	596,651,000	533,940,000
Time deposits	5,076,410,000	4,267,728,000
Total deposits	10,238,475,000	8,783,460,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	400,000,000	450,000,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank	75,000,000	425,000,000
Other borrowings for affordable housing investments	18,721,000	19,934,000
Long-term debt	119,136,000	119,136,000
Acceptances outstanding	35,087,000	35,656,000
Other liabilities	131,460,000	80,772,000
Total liabilities	$ 11,017,879,000	$ 9,913,958,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 86,916,637 issued and 81,001,822 outstanding at September 30, 2015, and 84,022,118 issued and 79,814,553 outstanding at December 31, 2014	$ 869,000	$ 840,000
Additional paid-in-capital	877,445,000	789,519,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(2,597,000)	(5,569,000)
Retained earnings	1,032,806,000	943,834,000
Treasury stock, at cost (5,914,815 shares at September 30, 2015, and 4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2014)	(176,437,000)	(125,736,000)
Total equity	1,732,086,000	1,602,888,000
Total liabilities and equity	$ 12,749,965,000	$ 11,516,846,000

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Note 8 - Loans (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	$ 161,122,000		$ 174,519,000
Percentage of Charge-off to Contractual Balances for Impaired Loans	18.90%		17.10%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Commitment to Lend	$ 0
Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group	0		$ 973,000
Nonaccrual Loans [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	71,200,000		70,200,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	41,800,000		41,600,000
Allowance for Credit Losses, Change in Method of Calculating Impairment	5,500,000		4,900,000
Accruing Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	89,900,000		104,300,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	89,881,000	$ 100,011,000	104,356,000	$ 123,089,000	$ 111,136,000	$ 117,597,000
Allowance for Credit Losses, Change in Method of Calculating Impairment	$ 1,100,000		6,500,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Number of Contracts	0
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Accruing Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	$ 12,872,000		$ 16,506,000
Minimum [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Period Loan is in Payment Default	60 days
Minimum [Member] | Reduction of Interest Rate and Change in Payment Terms [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings Length of Modifications	6 months
Maximum [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Period Loan is in Payment Default	90 days
Maximum [Member] | Reduction of Interest Rate and Change in Payment Terms [Member]
Note 8 - Loans (Details) [Line Items]
Troubled Debt Restructurings Length of Modifications	3 years

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Note 1 - Business

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Nature of Operations [Text Block]

1. Business

Cathay General Bancorp (“Bancorp”) is the holding company for Cathay Bank (the “Bank” and, together, the “Company”), seven limited partnerships investing in affordable housing investments in which the Bank is the sole limited partner, and GBC Venture Capital, Inc. Bancorp also owns 100% of the common stock of five statutory business trusts created for the purpose of issuing capital securities. The Bank was founded in 1962 and offers a wide range of financial services. As of September 30, 2015, the Bank operated 21 branches in Southern California, 12 branches in Northern California, 12 branches in New York State, three branches in Illinois, three branches in Washington State, two branches in Texas, one branch in Massachusetts, one branch in New Jersey, one branch in Maryland, one branch in Nevada, one branch in Hong Kong, and a representative office in Shanghai and in Taipei. Deposit accounts at the Hong Kong branch are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

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Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs, Reconciliation Recurring Basis Warrants (in Dollars)	$ 37,000	$ 27,000
Other Real Estate, Foreclosed Assets, and Repossessed Assets (in Dollars)	26,326,000	31,477,000
Net of Estimated Disposal Costs [Member]
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Other Real Estate, Foreclosed Assets, and Repossessed Assets (in Dollars)	$ 26,300,000	$ 31,500,000
Accounts Receivable Collateral [Member]
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Collateral Discount Rates	55.00%
Inventory Collateral [Member]
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Collateral Discount Rates	65.00%
Minimum [Member]
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Expected Life of Warrants	1 year
Estimated Sales Cost Applied to Collateral	3.00%
Minimum [Member] | Warrants Outstanding [Member]
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	0.66%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	11.20%
Maximum [Member]
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Expected Life of Warrants	8 years
Estimated Sales Cost Applied to Collateral	6.00%
Maximum [Member] | Warrants Outstanding [Member]
Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.78%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	19.10%

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Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Acquired - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets acquired:
Goodwill		$ 373,208	$ 316,340
Asia Bancshares [Member]
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 63,579
Securities available-for-sale	2,370
Loans	417,570
Premises and equipment	13,291
Other real estate owned	3,048
Goodwill	56,867
Core deposit intangible	1,302
Accrued interest receivable and other assets	3,515
Total assets acquired	561,542
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits	420,623
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities	1,056
Total liabilities assumed	421,679
Net assets acquired	139,863
Cash paid	57,006
Fair value of common stock issued	82,857	$ 82,800
Total consideration paid	$ 139,863

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Note 16 - Balance Sheet Offsetting (Details) - Financial Instruments that are Eligible for Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Liabilities:
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$ 400,000	$ 450,000
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the statement of financial position	400,000	450,000
Collateral posted	(400,000)	(450,000)
Derivatives-Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	3,726	4,626
Derivatives-Net amounts of liabilities presented in the statement of financial position	3,726	4,626
Derivatives-Collateral posted	$ (3,726)	$ (4,626)

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Note 17 - Stockholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

17. Stockholders’ Equity

Total equity was $1.73 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $129.2 million, or 8.1%, from $1.60 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases in net income of $119.7 million and equity consideration for the aquisition of Asia Bancshares, Inc. of $82.8 million offset by purchases of treasury stock of $50.7 million and common stock cash dividends of $30.7 million. Under the terms of the aquisition of Asia Bancshares, which was completed on July 31, 2015, we issued 2.58 million shares of our common stock and paid $57.0 million in cash for all of the issued and outstanding stock of Asia Bancshares.

Activity in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, and reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014, was as follows:

	Three months ended September 30, 2015									Three months ended September 30, 2014
	Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax			Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	(1,125	)							$	(8,896	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(1,657	)								-
Total							$	(2,782	)							$	(8,896	)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	$	4,717		$	1,984		$	2,733		$	292		$	122		$	170
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(4,413	)		(1,855	)		(2,558	)		171			71			100
Total		304			129			175			463			193		$	270
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale		16			6			10			(361	)		(152	)		(209	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		-			-			-			-			-			-
Total		16			6			10			(361	)		(152	)		(209	)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Securities available-for sale		4,733			1,990			2,743			(69	)		(30	)		(39	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(4,413	)		(1,855	)		(2,558	)		171			71			100
Total	$	320		$	135		$	185		$	102		$	41		$	61
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	1,618								$	(8,935	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(4,215	)								100
Total							$	(2,597	)							$	(8,835	)

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015									Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax			Pre-tax			Tax expense/ (benefit)			Net-of-tax
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	(3,172	)							$	(29,729	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(2,397	)								-
Total							$	(5,569	)							$	(29,729	)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period
Securities available-for sale	$	4,895		$	2,058		$	2,837		$	43,157		$	18,143		$	25,014
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(3,137	)		(1,319	)		(1,818	)		(281	)		(118	)		(163	)
Total		1,758			739			1,019			42,876			18,025		$	24,851
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) in net income
Securities available-for sale		3,369			1,416			1,953			(6,827	)		(2,870	)		(3,957	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives		-			-			-			-			-			-
Total		3,369			1,416			1,953			(6,827	)		(2,870	)		(3,957	)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)
Securities available-for sale		8,264			3,474			4,790			36,330			15,273			21,057
Cash flow hedge derivatives		(3,137	)		(1,319	)		(1,818	)		(281	)		(118	)		(163	)
Total	$	5,127		$	2,155		$	2,972		$	36,049		$	15,155		$	20,894
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale							$	1,618								$	(8,672	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives								(4,215	)								(163	)
Total							$	(2,597	)							$	(8,835	)

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Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Details) - Earnings per Share - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Details) - Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Net income (in Dollars)	$ 38,483	$ 35,909	$ 119,663	$ 102,252
Weighted-average shares:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	81,475,288	79,677,952	80,422,711	79,639,202
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	82,285,478	80,176,100	81,105,190	80,087,819
Average stock options and warrants with anti-dilutive effect	760,291	1,990,358	1,082,400	1,993,384
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.45	$ 1.49	$ 1.28
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.45	$ 1.48	$ 1.28
Warrant [Member]
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents	606,803	346,101	507,002	306,306
Equity Option [Member]
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents	123,910	109,803	124,135	103,022
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents	79,477	42,244	51,343	39,289

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Note 2 - Acquisition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

	Asia Bancshares, Inc
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	63,579
Securities available-for-sale		2,370
Loans		417,570
Premises and equipment		13,291
Other real estate owned		3,048
Goodwill		56,867
Core deposit intangible		1,302
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		3,515
Total assets acquired		561,542
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits		420,623
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		1,056
Total liabilities assumed		421,679
Net assets acquired	$	139,863
Cash paid	$	57,006
Fair value of common stock issued		82,857
Total consideration paid	$	139,863

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Note 18 - Stock Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Note 18 - Stock Repurchase Program (Details) [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method (in Dollars)			$ 50.7
November 2007 [Member]
Note 18 - Stock Repurchase Program (Details) [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	622,500
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method (in Dollars)	$ 18.1
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 29.08
August 2015 [Member]
Note 18 - Stock Repurchase Program (Details) [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		1,100,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method (in Dollars)		$ 32.6
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share (in Dollars per share)		$ 30.05
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	2,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		915,250	915,250

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Note 2 - Acquisition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

2. Acquisition

On July 31, 2015 the Company completed the acquisition of New York-based Asia Bancshares, Inc., parent of Asia Bank. Asia Bank operated three branch locations in New York City and one branch location in the state of Maryland. The acquisition allowed the Company to expand its number of branches in New York City and to enter the state of Maryland. The purchase consideration consisted of fifty-five percent in Bancorp stock and forty-five percent in cash. The fair value of the consideration was $139.9 million, which consisted of 2,580,359 shares of Bancorp common stock valued at $82.9 million at the date of acquisition and $57.0 million in cash.

Goodwill from the acquisition represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes. As a result of the business combination, the Company recorded goodwill of $56.9 million.

The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the July 31, 2015 acquisition date. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. We have included the financial results of the business combinations in the condensed consolidated statement of income beginning on the acquisition date.

The fair value of the assets and the liabilities acquired as of July 31, 2015 are shown below:

	Asia Bancshares, Inc
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	63,579
Securities available-for-sale		2,370
Loans		417,570
Premises and equipment		13,291
Other real estate owned		3,048
Goodwill		56,867
Core deposit intangible		1,302
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		3,515
Total assets acquired		561,542
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits		420,623
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		1,056
Total liabilities assumed		421,679
Net assets acquired	$	139,863
Cash paid	$	57,006
Fair value of common stock issued		82,857
Total consideration paid	$	139,863

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost (in Dollars)	$ 1,378,088	$ 1,324,408
Common stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock shares issued	86,916,637	84,022,118
Common stock shares outstanding	81,001,822	79,814,553
Treasury stock shares	5,914,815	4,207,565

XML

Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]

12. Fair Value Measurements

The Company adopted ASC Topic 820 on January 1, 2008, and determined the fair values of our financial instruments based on the following:

● Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

● Level 2 - Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset and liability; market inputs that are not directly observable but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

● Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own judgment about the assumptions that a market participant would use.

The Company uses the following methodologies to measure the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis:

Securities Available for Sale. For certain actively traded agency preferred stocks, mutual funds, and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and trust preferred securities.

Warrants. The Company measures the fair value of warrants based on unobservable inputs based on assumptions and management judgment, a Level 3 measurement.

Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps is derived from third party models with observable market data, a Level 2 measurement.

The valuation techniques for the assets and liabilities valued on a nonrecurring basis are as follows:

Impaired Loans. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on either the current appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on older appraisals that are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

Goodwill. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to the two reporting units—Commercial Lending and Retail Banking.  The Company then completes “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment.  Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill.  This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two.  An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. In connection with the determination of fair value, certain data and information is utilized, including earnings forecasts at the reporting unit level for the next four years.  Other key assumptions include terminal values based on future growth rates and discount rates for valuing the cash flows, which have inputs for the risk-free rate, market risk premium, and adjustments to reflect inherent risk and required market returns. Because of the significance of unobservable inputs in the valuation of goodwill impairment, goodwill subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments is classified as a Level 3 measurement.

Core Deposit Intangibles. Core deposit intangibles is initially recorded at fair value based on a valuation of the core deposits acquired and is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset on a nonrecurring basis using the core deposits remaining at the assessment date and the fair value of cash flows expected to be generated from the core deposits, a Level 3 measurement.

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value based on the appraised value of the property on the date of transfer, less estimated costs to sell, a Level 2 measurement. From time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments are made to other real estate owned based on the current updated appraised value of the property, also a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on older appraisals that are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company periodically reviews its investments in venture capital for other-than-temporary impairment on a nonrecurring basis. Investments in venture capital were written down to their fair value based on available financial reports from venture capital partnerships and management’s judgment and estimation, a Level 3 measurement.

Equity Investments. The Company records equity investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement.

The following tables present the Company’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

September 30, 2015	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	284,991	$	-	$	-	$	284,991
Mortgage-backed securities		-		1,004,398		-		1,004,398
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		38		-		38
Corporate debt securities		-		73,830		-		73,830
Mutual funds		5,899		-		-		5,899
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		-		4,517		-		4,517
Other equity securities		-		7,206		-		7,206
Total securities available-for-sale		290,890		1,089,989		-		1,380,879
Warrants		-		-		37		37
Foreign exchange contracts		-		3,363		-		3,363
Total assets	$	290,890	$	1,093,352	$	37	$	1,384,279
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	-	$	11,000	$	-	$	11,000
Foreign exchange contracts		-		4,895		-		4,895
Total liabilities	$	-	$	15,895	$	-	$	15,895

December 31, 2014	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities	$	664,004	$	-	$	-	$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities		-		544,303		-		544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		45		-		45
Corporate debt securities		-		94,472		-		94,472
Mutual funds		5,866		-		-		5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		-		3,224		-		3,224
Other equity securities		-		7,021		-		7,021
Total securities available-for-sale		669,870		649,065		-		1,318,935
Warrants		-		-		27		27
Foreign exchange contracts		-		1,876		-		1,876
Total assets	$	669,870	$	650,941	$	27	$	1,320,838
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	-	$	4,626	$	-	$	4,626
Foreign exchange contracts		-		5,007		-		5,007
Total liabilities	$	-	$	9,633	$	-	$	9,633

The Company measured the fair value of its warrants on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of warrants was $37,000 at September 30, 2015, compared to $27,000 at December 31, 2014. The fair value adjustment of warrants was included in other operating income in the third quarter of 2015. The significant unobservable inputs in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the fair value of warrants are their expected life ranging from 1 to 8 years, risk-free interest rate from 0.66% to 1.78%, and stock volatility from 11.2% to 19.1%.

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were still reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2015, the following tables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment, the carrying value of the related individual assets as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, and the total losses/(gains) for the periods indicated:

	September 30, 2015								Total Losses / (Gains)
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value		September 30, 2015		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2015		September 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	-	$	-	$	7,866	$	7,866	$	575	$	-		$	3,380	$	17
Commercial mortgage loans		-		-		19,950		19,950		-		515			654		515
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		-		-		13,357		13,357		-		32			146		32
Total impaired loans		-		-		41,173		41,173		575		547			4,180		564
Other real estate owned (1)		-		8,247		4,236		12,483		179		(48	)		404		277
Investments in venture capital		-		-		5,284		5,284		81		49			408		317
Total assets	$	-	$	8,247	$	50,693	$	58,940	$	835	$	548		$	4,992	$	1,158

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $26.3 million in the condensed consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

	December 31, 2014								Total Losses / (Gains)
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Total at		Twelve Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans	$	-	$	-	$	3,774	$	3,774	$	17	$	5,731
Commercial mortgage loans		-		-		25,029		25,029		3,914		125
Construction- other		-		-		7,625		7,625		-		-
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		-		-		13,126		13,126		27		213
Total impaired loans		-		-		49,554		49,554		3,958		6,069
Other real estate owned (1)		-		16,458		4,110		20,568		202		(3,134	)
Investments in venture capital		-		-		5,495		5,495		436		409
Equity investments		617		-		-		617		-		-
Total assets	$	617	$	16,458	$	59,159	$	76,234	$	4,596	$	3,344

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $31.5 million in the consolidated balance sheet is net of estimated disposal costs.

The significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs used in the fair value measurement of collateral for collateral-dependent impaired loans was primarily based on the appraised value of collateral adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions. The Company generally obtains new appraisal reports every nine months. As the Company’s primary objective in the event of default would be to monetize the collateral to settle the outstanding balance of the loan, less marketable collateral would receive a larger discount. During the reported periods, collateral discounts ranged from 55% in the case of accounts receivable collateral to 65% in the case of inventory collateral.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of loans held for sale was primarily based on the quoted price or sale price adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of other real estate owned (“OREO”) was primarily based on the appraised value of OREO adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions.

The Company applies estimated sales cost and commissions ranging from 3% to 6% to collateral value of impaired loans, quoted price, or loan sale price of loans held for sale, and appraised value of OREO.

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
Trading Symbol	caty
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		81,003,089
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000861842
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

XML

Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

13. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value, a Level 1 measurement.

Short-term Investments. For short-term investments, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value, a Level 1 measurement.

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell. The fair value of securities purchased under agreements to resell is based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Securities. For securities, including securities held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, and for trading, fair values were based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. If a quoted market price was not available, fair value was estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes. For certain actively traded agency preferred stock and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, and corporate bonds.

Loans Held for Sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted prices from third party sources, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumptions.

Loans. Fair values were estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Each loan category was further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories.

The fair value of performing loans was calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan, a Level 3 measurement.

The fair value of impaired loans was calculated based on the net realizable fair value of the collateral or the observable market price of the most recent sale or quoted price from loans held for sale. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on the current appraised value or adjusted appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 or level 3 measurement.

Deposit Liabilities. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits was assumed to be the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit was estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities, a Level 3 measurement.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. The fair value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase is based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). The fair value of the advances is based on quotes from the FHLB to settle the advances, a Level 2 measurement.

Other Borrowings. This category includes borrowings from other financial institutions.  The fair value of other borrowings is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk, a Level 3 measurement.

Long-term Debt. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of foreign exchange contracts based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps is derived from third party models with observable market data, a Level 2 measurement.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. The fair value of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written were estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. The fair value of guarantees and letters of credit was based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. The fair value of off-balance-sheet financial instruments was based on the assumptions that a market participant would use, a Level 3 measurement.

Fair value was estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 825. Fair value estimates were made at specific points in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Bank’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Bank’s financial instruments, fair value estimates were based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates were subjective in nature and involved uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

The following table presents the carrying and notional amounts and estimated fair value of financial instruments as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	196,342	$	196,342	$	176,830	$	176,830
Short-term investments		369,829		369,829		489,614		489,614
Securities available-for-sale		1,380,879		1,380,879		1,318,935		1,318,935
Loans held for sale		-		-		973		1,225
Loans, net		9,880,264		9,815,077		8,740,268		8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250		17,250		30,785		30,785
Warrants		37		37		27		27

	Notional				Notional
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts	$	129,675	$	3,363	$	167,005	$	1,876

Financial Liabilities	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Deposits	$	10,238,475	$	10,243,411	$	8,783,460	$	8,785,342
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		400,000		418,403		450,000		473,816
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		75,000		75,220		425,000		424,974
Other borrowings		18,721		16,291		19,934		17,978
Long-term debt		119,136		58,420		119,136		59,425

	Notional				Notional
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Foreign exchange contracts	$	144,703	$	4,895	$	178,868	$	5,007
Interest rate swaps		457,237		11,000		300,480		4,626

	Notional					Notional
	Amount		Fair Value			Amount		Fair Value
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,853,080	$	(4,879	)	$	2,071,766	$	(3,442	)
Standby letters of credit		48,273		(216	)		53,910		(243	)
Other letters of credit		58,204		(31	)		48,142		(29	)
Bill of lading guarantees		294		(1	)		108		-

The following tables present the level in the fair value hierarchy for the estimated fair values of financial instruments as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014.

	September 30, 2015
	Estimated
	Fair Value
	Measurements		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	196,342	$	196,342	$	-	$	-
Short-term investments		369,829		369,829		-		-
Securities available-for-sale		1,380,879		290,890		1,089,989		-
Loans, net		9,815,077		-		-		9,815,077
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		17,250		-		17,250		-
Warrants		37		-		-		37
Financial Liabilities
Deposits		10,243,411		-		-		10,243,411
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		418,403		-		418,403		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		75,220		-		75,220		-
Other borrowings		16,291		-		-		16,291
Long-term debt		58,420		-		58,420		-

	December 31, 2014
	Estimated
	Fair Value
	Measurements		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	176,830	$	176,830	$	-	$	-
Short-term investments		489,614		489,614		-		-
Securities available-for-sale		1,318,935		669,870		649,065		-
Loans held-for-sale		1,225		-		-		1,225
Loans, net		8,688,072		-		-		8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock		30,785		-		30,785		-
Warrants		27		-		-		27
Financial Liabilities
Deposits		8,785,342		-		-		8,785,342
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		473,816		-		473,816		-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		424,974		-		424,974		-
Other borrowings		17,978		-		-		17,978
Long-term debt		59,425		-		59,425		-

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Interest and Dividend Income
Loans receivable, including loan fees	$ 109,943	$ 100,151	$ 315,038	$ 290,337
Investment securities	6,142	5,105	15,262	19,389
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	524	508	2,782	1,379
Deposits with banks	258	571	1,105	1,499
Total interest and dividend income	116,867	106,335	334,187	312,604
Interest Expense
Time deposits	10,407	9,117	28,321	26,155
Other deposits	3,217	2,995	9,010	7,826
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	3,977	5,858	11,836	19,731
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	164	153	374	849
Long-term debt	1,456	1,456	4,320	3,012
Short-term borrowings		1		1
Total interest expense	19,221	19,580	53,861	57,574
Net interest income before reversal for credit losses	97,646	86,755	280,326	255,030
Reversal for loan losses	(1,250)	(5,100)	(8,400)	(8,800)
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses	98,896	91,855	288,726	263,830
Non-Interest Income
Securities (losses)/gains, net	(16)	361	(3,369)	6,827
Letters of credit commissions	1,455	1,559	4,114	4,547
Depository service fees	1,409	1,330	4,003	3,999
Other operating income	6,308	5,724	18,576	17,181
Total non-interest income	9,156	8,974	23,324	32,554
Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits	20,725	22,630	67,804	69,472
Occupancy expense	4,412	3,934	12,419	11,692
Computer and equipment expense	3,893	2,471	8,783	7,307
Professional services expense	5,687	5,991	17,230	16,410
FDIC and State assessments	2,403	2,261	6,907	6,692
Marketing expense	1,436	639	3,577	2,722
Other real estate owned expense/(income)	250	(1,011)	(1,053)	(629)
Amortization of investments in low income housing and alternative energy partnerships	15,427	1,672	23,277	5,126
Amortization of core deposit intangibles	169	214	493	510
Costs associated with debt redemption		527		3,348
Other operating expense	3,069	3,279	9,750	10,538
Total non-interest expense	57,471	42,607	149,187	133,188
Income before income tax expense	50,581	58,222	162,863	163,196
Income tax expense	12,098	22,313	43,200	60,944
Net income	38,483	35,909	119,663	102,252
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Unrealized holding gain on securities available-for-sale	2,733	170	2,837	25,014
Less: reclassification adjustments included in net income	(10)	209	(1,953)	3,957
Unrealized holding (loss)/gain on cash flow hedge derivatives	(2,558)	100	(1,818)	(163)
Total other comprehensive gain, net of tax	185	61	2,972	20,894
Total comprehensive income	$ 38,668	$ 35,970	$ 122,635	$ 123,146
Net income per common share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.45	$ 1.49	$ 1.28
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	0.47	0.45	1.48	1.28
Cash dividends paid per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.07	$ 0.38	$ 0.19
Average common shares outstanding
Basic (in Shares)	81,475,288	79,677,952	80,422,711	79,639,202
Diluted (in Shares)	82,285,478	80,176,100	81,105,190	80,087,819

XML

Note 7 - Investment Securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]

7. Investment Securities

Investment securities were $1.38 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.32 billion at December 31, 2014. The following tables reflect the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair value of investment securities as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	284,603	$	388	$	-	$	284,991
Mortgage-backed securities		1,005,527		1,066		2,195		1,004,398
Collateralized mortgage obligations		67		-		29		38
Corporate debt securities		74,952		370		1,492		73,830
Mutual funds		6,000		-		101		5,899
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		2,811		1,706		-		4,517
Other equity securities		4,128		3,403		325		7,206
Total	$	1,378,088	$	6,933	$	4,142	$	1,380,879

	December 31, 2014
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	664,206	$	63	$	265	$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities		549,296		1,393		6,386		544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations		79		-		34		45
Corporate debt securities		94,943		776		1,247		94,472
Mutual funds		6,000		-		134		5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		6,276		681		3,733		3,224
Other equity securities		3,608		3,413		-		7,021
Total	$	1,324,408	$	6,326	$	11,799	$	1,318,935

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at September 30, 2015, by contractual maturities, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or repayment penalties.  

	Securities Available-For-Sale
	Amortized cost		Fair value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	184,935	$	185,127
Due after one year through five years		136,610		137,407
Due after five years through ten years		45,546		44,172
Due after ten years (1)		1,010,997		1,014,173
Total	$	1,378,088	$	1,380,879

(1) Equity securities are reported in this category

Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities were $648.0 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $458.4 million during the same period a year ago. Proceeds from repayments, maturities and calls of mortgage-backed securities were $67.3 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $54.7 million during the same period a year ago. Proceeds from sales of other investment securities were $385.2 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $84.9 million during the same period a year ago. Proceeds from maturities and calls of other investment securities were $165.0 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $585.8 million during the same period a year ago. Gains of $2.4 million and losses of $1.9 million were realized on sales of investment securities during the first nine months of 2015 compared to gains of $17.1 million and losses of $9.5 million realized during the same period a year ago.

The tables below show the fair value and unrealized losses of the temporarily impaired securities in our investment securities portfolio as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
	Temporarily impaired securities
	Less than 12 months				12 months or longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
Mortgage-backed securities	$	703,710	$	2,194	$	7	$	1	$	703,717	$	2,195
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		-		38		29		38		29
Corporate debt securities		9,950		50		43,558		1,442		53,508		1,492
Mutual funds		-		-		5,899		101		5,899		101
Other equity securities		175		325		-		-		175		325
Total	$	713,835	$	2,569	$	49,502	$	1,573	$	763,337	$	4,142

	December 31, 2014
	Temporarily impaired securities
	Less than 12 months				12 months or longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	374,153	$	265	$	-	$	-	$	374,153	$	265
Mortgage-backed securities		-		-		425,090		6,386		425,090		6,386
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		-		45		34		45		34
Corporate debt securities		-		-		63,753		1,247		63,753		1,247
Mutual funds		-		-		5,866		134		5,866		134
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		2,448		3,733		-		-		2,448		3,733
Total	$	376,601	$	3,998	$	494,754	$	7,801	$	871,355	$	11,799

Total unrealized losses of $4.1 million at September 30, 2015, were primarily caused by increases in interest rates subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased or caused by the widening of credit and liquidity spreads since the dates of acquisition. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuers to settle the security at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment.

At September 30, 2015, management believed the impairment was temporary and, accordingly, no impairment loss on debt securities has been recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company expects to recover the amortized cost basis of its debt securities, and has no intent to sell and will not be required to sell available-for-sale debt securities that have declined below their cost before their anticipated recovery.

Investment securities having a carrying value of $457.0 million at September 30, 2015, and $591.3 million at December 31, 2014, were pledged to secure public deposits, other borrowings, treasury tax and loan, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. 

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Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

6. Stock-Based Compensation

Under the Company’s equity incentive plans, directors and eligible employees may be granted incentive or non-statutory stock options and/or restricted stock units, or awarded non-vested stock.As of September 30, 2015, the only options granted by the Company were non-statutory stock options to selected Bank officers and non-employee directors at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Such options have a maximum ten-year term and vest in 20% annual increments (subject to early termination in certain events) except certain options granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2005 and 2008. There were no options granted during the first nine months of 2015 or during 2014.

Option compensation expense was zero for the three months and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014. Stock-based compensation was fully recognized over the requisite service period for all awards. Stock options covering 147,350 shares were exercised in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to zero in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash received totaled $3.4 million and the aggregate intrinsic value totaled $1.3 million from the exercise of stock options during the first nine months ended September 30, 2015. The table below summarizes stock option activity for the periods indicated:

	Shares			Weighted-average Exercise Price		Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014		2,332,904		$	32.34		1.2	$	1,388
Exercised		(3,750	)		23.37
Forfeited		(808,670	)		35.63
Balance, March 31, 2015		1,520,484		$	30.62		1.6	$	3,156
Exercised		(69,600	)		23.37
Forfeited		(267,884	)		33.99
Balance, June 30, 2015		1,183,000		$	30.37		1.5	$	5,010
Exercised		(74,000	)		23.37
Forfeited		(10,600	)		36.56
Balance, September 30, 2015		1,098,400		$	30.79		1.2	$	3,148
Exercisable, September 30, 2015		1,098,400		$	30.79		1.2	$	3,148

In addition to stock options, the Company also grants restricted stock units to eligible employees which vest subject to continued employment at the vesting dates.

The Company granted restricted stock units for 72,900 shares at an average closing price of $28.11 per share in the first nine months of 2015 compared to 17,601 shares at an average closing price of $24.66 per share in 2014. The restricted stock units granted are scheduled to vest two years from grant date for 2014 grants and to vest three years from grant date for 2015 grants.

The Company granted performance share unit awards in which the number of units earned is calculated based on the relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company’s common stock as compared to the TSR of the KBW Regional Banking Index. In addition, the Company granted performance share unit awards in which the number of units earned is determined by comparison to the targeted EPS as defined in the award for the next three years. In December 2014, the Company granted performance TSR restricted stock units for 60,456 shares and performance EPS restricted stock units for 57,642 shares to six executive officers. Both the performance TSR and performance EPS units awarded in 2014 are scheduled to vest at December 31, 2017.

The following table presents restricted stock unit activity from December 31, 2014, to September 30, 2015:

	Units
Balance at December 31, 2014		386,465
Granted		72,900
Vested		(24,892	)
Forfeited		(7,846	)
Balance at September 30, 2015		426,627

The compensation expense recorded for restricted stock units was $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.0 million in the same period a year ago. For the nine months ended September 30, compensation expense recorded related to the restricted stock units was $3.4 million in 2015 and $2.9 million in 2014. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units was $5.2 million at September 30, 2015, and is expected to be recognized over the next 2.0 years.

At September 30, 2015, 3,358,201 shares were available under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan (as Amended and Restated) for future grants.

The following table summarizes the tax benefit (short-fall) from share-based payment arrangements:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015			2014
Tax benefit/(short-fall) of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value	$	17	$	-	$	(5,602	)	$	(1,177	)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value		275		-		6,421			1,177
Total benefit of tax deductions	$	292	$	-	$	819		$	-

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Note 18 - Stock Repurchase Program

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]

Treasury Stock [Text Block]

18. Stock Repurchase Program

In August 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the resumption of the repurchase of remaining 622,500 shares of its common stock under our November 2007 repurchase program, and repurchase all the shares for $18.1 million, or a $29.08 average price per share.

On August 31, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a new stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares for $32.6 million, or a $30.05 average price per share under the August 2015 repurchase program. As of September 30, 2015, there were 915,250 remaining shares that could be purchased in the future under the August 2015 repurchase program.

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Note 14 - Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

14. Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment

The Company’s policy is to assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or between annual assessments if a triggering event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to our two reporting units—Commercial Lending and Retail Banking.  The Company then completes “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment.  Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill.  This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two.  An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

At September 30, 2015, the Company’s market capitalization was above book value and there was no triggering event that required the Company to assess goodwill for impairment as of an interim date.

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Note 10 - Borrowed Funds

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

10. Borrowed Funds

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $400.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.89% at September 30, 2015, compared to $450.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.85% at December 31, 2014. In the first nine months of 2014, the Company prepaid securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.50% and incurred prepayment penalties of $3.4 million compared to no repayments in the first nine months of 2015. As of September 30, 2015, four floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $200.0 million with weighted average rate of 5.0% and final maturity in January 2017 have initial floating rates for one year, with floating rates of the three-month LIBOR rate minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.89% to 5.07%. As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $200.0 million with a weighted average rate of 2.78%. Final maturity for the four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase is $50.0 million in August 2016, $50.0 million in July 2017, $50.0 million in June 2018, and $50.0 million in July 2018.

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold. The Company may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $439.8 million as of September 30, 2015, and $516.3 million as of December 31, 2014.

Borrowing from the FHLB. As of September 30, 2015, over-night borrowings from the FHLB were zero compared to $400.0 million at a rate of 0.27% at December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, the advances from the FHLB were $75.0 million at a rate of 0.87% compared to $25.0 million at a rate of 1.13% at December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, FHLB advances of $50.0 million will mature in January 2017 and $25 million will mature in March 2018.

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Note 12 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	$ 1,380,879	$ 1,318,935
Assets	1,384,279	1,320,838
Liabilities
Liabilities	15,895	9,633
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	284,991	664,004
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	1,004,398	544,303
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	38	45
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	73,830	94,472
Mutual Funds [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	5,899	5,866
Preferred Stock of Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	4,517	3,224
Other Equity Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	7,206	7,021
Warrant [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Assets	37	27
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Assets	3,363	1,876
Liabilities
Liabilities	4,895	5,007
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities
Liabilities	11,000	4,626
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	290,890	669,870
Assets	290,890	669,870
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	284,991	664,004
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	5,899	5,866
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	1,089,989	649,065
Assets	1,093,352	650,941
Liabilities
Liabilities	15,895	9,633
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	1,004,398	544,303
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	38	45
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	73,830	94,472
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock of Government Sponsored Entities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	4,517	3,224
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Other Equity Securities [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Securities available-for-sale	7,206	7,021
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Assets	3,363	1,876
Liabilities
Liabilities	4,895	5,007
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities
Liabilities	11,000	4,626
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Assets	37	27
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Warrant [Member]
Securities available-for-sale
Assets	$ 37	$ 27

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Note 8 - Loans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Receivables [Abstract]

Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]

8. Loans

Most of the Company’s business activity is with Asian customers located in Southern and Northern California; New York City, New York; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Edison, New Jersey; Rockville, Maryland; Las Vegas, Nevada, and Hong Kong. The Company has no specific industry concentration, and generally its loans are secured by real property or other collateral of the borrowers. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, from refinancing by other lenders, or through sale by the borrowers of the secured collateral.

The types of loans in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, were as follows:

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	2,362,059		$	2,382,493
Residential mortgage loans		1,816,464			1,570,059
Commercial mortgage loans		5,275,570			4,486,443
Equity lines		174,790			172,879
Real estate construction loans		405,278			298,654
Installment and other loans		5,771			3,552
Gross loans	$	10,039,932		$	8,914,080
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(150,076	)		(161,420	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees		(9,592	)		(12,392	)
Total loans, net	$	9,880,264		$	8,740,268
Loans held for sale	$	-		$	973

At September 30, 2015, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $161.1 million and was comprised of non-accrual loans of $71.2 million and accruing troubled debt restructured loans (“TDRs) of $89.9 million. At December 31, 2014, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $174.5 million and was comprised of non-accrual loans of $70.2 million and accruing TDRs of $104.3 million. For impaired loans, the amounts previously charged off represent 18.9% at September 30, 2015, and 17.1% at December 31, 2014, of the contractual balances for impaired loans. The following table presents the average balance and interest income recognized related to impaired loans for the periods indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	Average Recorded Investment								Interest Income Recognized
	Three months ended				Nine months ended				Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	23,894	$	21,706	$	24,974	$	26,741	$	170	$	205	$	519	$	636
Real estate construction loans		22,392		33,276		22,056		33,459		66		66		196		198
Commercial mortgage loans		97,557		119,611		104,508		114,663		777		1,153		2,126		3,310
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		16,506		16,151		16,934		17,889		139		128		380		363
Total impaired loans	$	160,349	$	190,744	$	168,472	$	192,752	$	1,152	$	1,552	$	3,221	$	4,507

The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance for credit losses as of the dates indicated:

	Impaired Loans
	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance
	(In thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	15,425	$	14,397	$	-	$	19,479	$	18,452	$	-
Real estate construction loans		48,495		22,292		-		32,924		17,025		-
Commercial mortgage loans		73,980		68,680		-		77,474		75,172		-
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		2,450		2,450		-		2,518		2,518		-
Subtotal	$	140,350	$	107,819	$	-	$	132,395	$	113,167	$	-
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans	$	16,629	$	13,233	$	7,561	$	7,003	$	5,037	$	1,263
Real estate construction loans		-		-		-		19,006		8,703		1,077
Commercial mortgage loans		27,526		26,339		6,389		38,197		34,022		8,993
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		14,210		13,731		373		14,019		13,590		465
Subtotal	$	58,365	$	53,303	$	14,323	$	78,225	$	61,352	$	11,798
Total impaired loans	$	198,715	$	161,122	$	14,323	$	210,620	$	174,519	$	11,798

The following tables present the aging of the loan portfolio by type as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	5,865	$	3,896	$	-	$	14,758	$	24,519	$	2,337,540	$	2,362,059
Real estate construction loans		-		-		-		16,579		16,579		388,699		405,278
Commercial mortgage loans		1,114		241		2,573		33,214		37,142		5,238,428		5,275,570
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		95		511		-		6,690		7,296		1,983,958		1,991,254
Installment and other loans		-		-		-		-		-		5,771		5,771
Total loans	$	7,074	$	4,648	$	2,573	$	71,241	$	85,536	$	9,954,396	$	10,039,932

	December 31, 2014
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Non-accrual Loans		Total Past Due		Loans Not Past Due		Total
	(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans	$	11,595	$	1,238	$	-	$	6,983	$	19,816	$	2,362,677	$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans		1,416		-		-		19,963		21,379		277,275		298,654
Commercial mortgage loans		17,654		3,909		-		35,606		57,169		4,429,274		4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5,634		732		-		7,611		13,977		1,728,961		1,742,938
Installment and other loans		60		-		-		-		60		3,492		3,552
Total loans	$	36,359	$	5,879	$	-	$	70,163	$	112,401	$	8,801,679	$	8,914,080

The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses for impaired loans is based on management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectability when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. This allowance evaluation process is also applied to troubled debt restructurings since they are considered to be impaired loans.

A troubled debt restructuring is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the lender, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including a change in the stated interest rate, a reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, or an extension of the maturity date that causes significant delay in payment.

TDRs on accrual status are comprised of the loans that have, pursuant to the Bank’s policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves.

At September 30, 2015, accruing TDRs were $89.9 million and non-accrual TDRs were $41.8 million compared to accruing TDRs of $104.3 million and non-accrual TDRs of $41.6 million at December 31, 2014. The Company allocated specific reserves of $1.1 million to accruing TDRs and $5.5 million to non-accrual TDRs at September 30, 2015, and $6.5 million to accruing TDRs and $4.9 million to non-accrual TDRs at December 31, 2014. The following tables present TDRs that were modified during the first nine months of 2015 and of 2014, their specific reserves at September 30, 2015, and 2014, and charge-offs during the first nine months of 2015 and of 2014:

	Nine months ended September 30, 2015								September 30, 2015
	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Charge-offs		Specific Reserve
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		3	$	1,156	$	1,156	$	-	$	1
Commercial mortgage loans		19		16,329		16,329		-		38
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5		1,522		1,374		148		45
Total		27	$	19,007	$	18,859	$	148	$	84

	Nine months ended September 30, 2014								September 30, 2014
	No. of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Charge-offs		Specific Reserve
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans		6	$	10,773	$	10,773	$	-	$	26
Commercial mortgage loans		3		11,818		11,818		-		564
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		5		2,226		2,226		-		16
Total		14	$	24,817	$	24,817	$	-	$	606

Modifications of the loan terms during the first nine months of 2015 were in the form of changes in the stated interest rate, and/or extension of maturity dates, and/or reduction in monthly payment amount. The length of time for which modifications involving a reduction of the stated interest rate or changes in payment terms that were documented ranged from six months to three years from the modification date. 

We expect that the TDRs on accruing status as of September 30, 2015, which were all performing in accordance with their restructured terms, will continue to comply with the restructured terms because of the reduced principal or interest payments on these loans.  A summary of TDRs by type of concession and by type of loan, as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, is shown below:

	September 30, 2015
Accruing TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	11,010	$	-	$	1,862	$	12,872
Real estate construction loans		-		-		5,713		5,713
Commercial mortgage loans		21,700		6,064		34,041		61,805
Residential mortgage loans		5,248		1,001		3,242		9,491
Total accruing TDRs	$	37,958	$	7,065	$	44,858	$	89,881

	September 30, 2015
Non-accrual TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,248	$	90	$	2,338
Real estate construction loans		10,172		5,907		16,079
Commercial mortgage loans		1,555		20,725		22,280
Residential mortgage loans		397		712		1,109
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	14,372	$	27,434	$	41,806

	December 31, 2014
Accruing TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
Commercial loans	$	11,572	$	-	$	-	$	4,934	$	16,506
Real estate construction loans		5,765		-		-		-		5,765
Commercial mortgage loans		20,543		26,694		-		26,351		73,588
Residential mortgage loans		3,316		-		410		4,771		8,497
Total accruing TDRs	$	41,196	$	26,694	$	410	$	36,056	$	104,356

	December 31, 2014
Non-accrual TDRs	Payment Deferral		Rate Reduction		Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	1,423	$	860	$	1,269	$	3,552
Real estate construction loans		-		-		19,462		19,462
Commercial mortgage loans		15,917		-		973		16,890
Residential mortgage loans		1,026		-		688		1,714
Total non-accrual TDRs	$	18,366	$	860	$	22,392	$	41,618

The activity within our TDRs for the periods indicated are shown below:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
Accruing TDRs	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	100,011		$	111,136		$	104,355		$	117,597
New restructurings		427			14,900			16,853			22,997
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		723			660			723			1,622
Charge-offs		-			-			(148	)		-
Payments		(11,280	)		(3,607	)		(21,714	)		(11,897	)
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		-			-			(10,188	)		(7,230	)
Ending balance	$	89,881		$	123,089		$	89,881		$	123,089

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
Non-accrual TDRs	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	42,595		$	43,605		$	41,618		$	38,769
New restructurings		1,796			34			2,006			1,820
Restructured loans placed on nonaccrual		-			-			10,188			7,230
Charge-offs		(3	)		(234	)		(3,246	)		(833	)
Payments		(1,859	)		(8,583	)		(8,037	)		(11,202	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status		(723	)		(660	)		(723	)		(1,622	)
Ending balance	$	41,806		$	34,162		$	41,806		$	34,162

A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 60 to 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms.  The Company did not have any loans that were modified as a TDR during the previous twelve months and which subsequently defaulted as of September 30, 2015. 

Under the Company’s internal underwriting policy, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification in order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty.

As of September 30, 2015, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to those borrowers whose loans had been restructured, were considered impaired, or were on non-accrual status.

As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, the Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each loan. The risk rating categories can be generally described by the following grouping for non-homogeneous loans: 

● Pass/Watch – These loans range from minimal credit risk to lower than average, but still acceptable, credit risk.

● Special Mention – Borrower is fundamentally sound and loan is currently protected but adverse trends are apparent that, if not corrected, may affect ability to repay. Primary source of loan repayment remains viable but there is increasing reliance on collateral or guarantor support.

● Substandard– These loans are inadequately protected by current sound net worth, paying capacity, or collateral. Well-defined weaknesses exist that could jeopardize repayment of debt. Loss may not be imminent, but if weaknesses are not corrected, there is a good possibility of some loss.

● Doubtful – The possibility of loss is extremely high, but due to identifiable and important pending events (which may strengthen the loan), a loss classification is deferred until the situation is better defined.

● Loss – These loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that to continue to carry the loan as an active asset is no longer warranted.

The Company had no loans held for sale as of September 30, 2015. The following tables present the loan portfolio by risk rating as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,201,557	$	92,219	$	67,025	$	1,258	$	2,362,059
Real estate construction loans		381,972		1,014		21,792		500		405,278
Commercial mortgage loans		5,015,411		124,350		126,437		9,372		5,275,570
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		1,981,684		402		9,168		-		1,991,254
Installment and other loans		5,771		-		-		-		5,771
Total gross loans	$	9,586,395	$	217,985	$	224,422	$	11,130	$	10,039,932

	December 31, 2014
	Pass/Watch		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(In thousands)
Commercial loans	$	2,260,474	$	47,619	$	72,561	$	1,839	$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans		272,927		-		25,227		500		298,654
Commercial mortgage loans		4,213,453		105,970		167,020		-		4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines		1,733,248		-		9,690		-		1,742,938
Installment and other loans		3,552		-		-		-		3,552
Total gross loans	$	8,483,654	$	153,589	$	274,498	$	2,339	$	8,914,080
Loans held for sale	$	-	$	-	$	973	$	-	$	973

The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments are significant estimates that can and do change based on management’s process in analyzing the loan portfolio and on management’s assumptions about specific borrowers, underlying collateral, and applicable economic and environmental conditions, among other factors.

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of September 30, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

			Real Estate		Commercial		Residential
	Commercial		Construction		Mortgage		Mortgage Loans		Installment and
	Loans		Loans		Loans		and Equity Lines		Other Loans		Total
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	7,561	$	-	$	6,389	$	373	$	-	$	14,323
Balance	$	27,630	$	22,292	$	95,019	$	16,180	$	-	$	161,121
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	47,316	$	26,466	$	49,644	$	12,304	$	23	$	135,753
Balance	$	2,334,429	$	382,986	$	5,180,551	$	1,975,074	$	5,771	$	9,878,811
Total allowance	$	54,877	$	26,466	$	56,033	$	12,677	$	23	$	150,076
Total balance	$	2,362,059	$	405,278	$	5,275,570	$	1,991,254	$	5,771	$	10,039,932
December 31, 2014
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	1,263	$	1,077	$	8,993	$	465	$	-	$	11,798
Balance	$	23,489	$	25,728	$	109,194	$	16,108	$	-	$	174,519
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance	$	46,238	$	26,575	$	65,680	$	11,113	$	16	$	149,622
Balance	$	2,359,004	$	272,926	$	4,377,249	$	1,726,830	$	3,552	$	8,739,561
Total allowance	$	47,501	$	27,652	$	74,673	$	11,578	$	16	$	161,420
Total balance	$	2,382,493	$	298,654	$	4,486,443	$	1,742,938	$	3,552	$	8,914,080

The following tables detail activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

Three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

				Real Estate		Commercial			Residential			Installment
	Commercial			Construction		Mortgage			Mortgage Loans			and Other
	Loans			Loans		Loans			and Equity Lines			Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
June 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	47,540		$	26,304	$	67,245		$	12,323		$	25			153,437
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		10,040			121		(11,762	)		353			(2	)		(1,250	)
Charge-offs		(3,310	)		-		(97	)		-			-			(3,407	)
Recoveries		607			41		647			1			-			1,296
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		(2,703	)		41		550			1			-			(2,111	)
September 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	54,877		$	26,466	$	56,033		$	12,677		$	23		$	150,076
June 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	63,239		$	9,555	$	83,395		$	12,870		$	18		$	169,077
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		(10,839	)		25,116		(17,950	)		(1,427	)		(1	)		(5,101	)
Charge-offs		(252	)		-		(903	)		-			-			(1,155	)
Recoveries		4,148			32		2,197			-			-			6,377
Net recoveries		3,896			32		1,294			-			-			5,222
September 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	56,296		$	34,703	$	66,739		$	11,443		$	17		$	169,198

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

				Real Estate			Commercial			Residential			Installment
	Commercial			Construction			Mortgage			Mortgage Loans			and Other
	Loans			Loans			Loans			and Equity Lines			Loans			Total
	(In thousands)
2015 Beginning Balance	$	47,501		$	27,652		$	74,673		$	11,578		$	16		$	161,420
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		11,045			(1,349	)		(19,342	)		1,239			7			(8,400	)
Charge-offs		(6,754	)		-			(3,613	)		(161	)		-			(10,528	)
Recoveries		3,085			163			4,315			21			-			7,584
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		(3,669	)		163			702			(140	)		-			(2,944	)
September 30, 2015 Ending Balance	$	54,877		$	26,466		$	56,033		$	12,677		$	23		$	150,076
Reserve for impaired loans	$	7,561		$	-		$	6,389		$	373		$	-		$	14,323
Reserve for non-impaired loans	$	47,316		$	26,466		$	49,604		$	12,304		$	23		$	135,753
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	703		$	477		$	202		$	37		$	1		$	1,420
2014 Beginning Balance	$	65,103		$	11,999		$	84,753		$	12,005		$	29		$	173,889
Provision/(credit) for possible credit losses		(12,067	)		24,460			(20,991	)		(562	)		(12	)		(9,172	)
Charge-offs		(7,592	)		(1,813	)		(3,327	)		-			-			(12,732	)
Recoveries		10,852			57			6,304			-			-			17,213
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries		3,260			(1,756	)		2,977			-			-			4,481
September 30, 2014 Ending Balance	$	56,296		$	34,703		$	66,739		$	11,443		$	17		$	169,198
Reserve for impaired loans	$	2,730		$	2,604		$	7,999		$	481		$	-		$	13,814
Reserve for non-impaired loans	$	53,566		$	32,099		$	58,740		$	10,962		$	17		$	155,384
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments	$	901		$	668		$	410		$	39		$	-		$	2,018

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Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

9. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various litigation concerning transactions entered into in the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe that the resolution of such litigation will have a material effect upon its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity taken as a whole. Although the Company establishes accruals for legal proceedings when information related to the loss contingencies represented by those matters indicates both that a loss is probable and that the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company does not have accruals for all legal proceedings where there is a risk of loss. In addition, amounts accrued may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company from the legal proceedings in question. Thus, ultimate losses may be higher or lower, and possibly significantly so, than the amounts accrued for legal loss contingencies.

In the normal course of business, the Company becomes a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans, or through commercial or standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. These instruments represent varying degrees of exposure to risk in excess of the amounts included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The contractual or notional amount of these instruments indicates a level of activity associated with a particular class of financial instrument and is not a reflection of the level of expected losses, if any.

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Note 11 - Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

11. Income Taxes

Income tax expense totaled $43.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 26.5%, for the first nine months of 2015, compared to an income tax expense of $60.9 million, or an effective tax rate of 37.3%, for the same period a year ago. The effective tax rate includes the impact of the utilization of low income housing tax credits and for 2015 the utilization of alternative energy tax credits. At September 30, 2015, the Company forecasted its effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2015 to be 27.0%.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had income tax refunds receivable of $18.1 million. These income tax receivables are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s tax returns are open for audit by the Internal Revenue Service back to 2012 and by the California Franchise Tax Board back to 2003. The Company is under audit by the California Franchise Tax Board for the years 2003 to 2007. As the Company is presently under audit by a number of tax authorities, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could change significantly over the next twelve months. The Company does not expect that any such changes would have a material impact on its annual effective tax rate.

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Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 119,100,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax		$ (2,558,000)	$ 100,000	$ (1,818,000)	$ (163,000)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Number of Instruments Held	5
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 119,100,000	119,100,000		119,100,000
Derivative, Original Maturity	10 years
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.61%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.33%
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax				(4,200,000)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 338,100,000		$ 338,100,000		$ 342,800,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate		4.69%		4.69%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate		3.41%		3.41%
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax				$ (3,700,000)
Derivative, Average Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.21%		3.21%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Net Accrued on Interest Rate Swaps		$ 706,000	723,000	$ 2,100,000	824,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Income [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Net Accrued on Interest Rate Swaps		831,000	$ 580,000	2,200,000	$ 606,000
Cash [Member]
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value		10,600,000		10,600,000
Positive Fair Value Member
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Sum of Spot and Forward Contract Notional Amount		129,700,000		129,700,000		167,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value				3,400,000		1,900,000
Negative Fair Value Member
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Sum of Spot and Forward Contract Notional Amount		$ 144,700,000		144,700,000		178,900,000
Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value				$ (4,900,000)		$ (5,000,000)
Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Original Maturity				4 years
Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Note 15 - Financial Derivatives (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Original Maturity				8 years

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Note 17 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 17 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		$ 1,732,086		$ 1,732,086		$ 1,602,888
Increase (Decrease) in Total Equity				$ 129,200
Percentage Change in Total Equity				8.10%
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		$ 38,483	$ 35,909	$ 119,663	$ 102,252
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method				50,700
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash				30,700
Asia Bancshares [Member]
Note 17 - Stockholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable	$ 82,857			$ 82,800
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions (in Shares)	2,580
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 57,006

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Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Instruments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	$ 196,342	$ 176,830
Short-term investments	369,829	489,614
Securities available-for-sale	1,380,879	1,318,935
Loans held-for-sale		1,225
Loans, net	9,815,077	8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock	17,250	30,785
Warrants	37	27
Financial Liabilities
Deposits	10,243,411	8,785,342
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	418,403	473,816
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	75,220	424,974
Other borrowings	16,291	17,978
Long-term debt	58,420	59,425
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks	196,342	176,830
Short-term investments	369,829	489,614
Securities available-for-sale	290,890	669,870
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets
Securities available-for-sale	1,089,989	649,065
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock	17,250	30,785
Financial Liabilities
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	418,403	473,816
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	75,220	424,974
Long-term debt	58,420	59,425
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets
Loans held-for-sale		1,225
Loans, net	9,815,077	8,688,072
Warrants	37	27
Financial Liabilities
Deposits	10,243,411	8,785,342
Other borrowings	$ 16,291	$ 17,978

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Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 373,208	$ 316,340
Asia Bancshares [Member]
Note 2 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Purchase Consideration, Percentage of Equity Interest	55.00%
Business Combination, Purchase Consideration, Percentage of Cash	45.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 139,863
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares (in Shares)	2,580,359
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned	$ 82,900
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	57,006
Goodwill	$ 56,867

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Accruing Troubled Debt Restructurings - Accruing Troubled Debt Restructuring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	$ 89,881	$ 100,011	$ 104,356	$ 123,089	$ 111,136	$ 117,597
Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	37,958		41,196
Contractual Interest Rate Reduction [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	7,065		26,694
Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	44,858		36,056
Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs			410
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	12,872		16,506
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	11,010		11,572
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	1,862		4,934
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	5,713		5,765
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs			5,765
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	5,713
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	61,805		73,588
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	21,700		20,543
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Contractual Interest Rate Reduction [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	6,064		26,694
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	34,041		26,351
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	9,491		8,497
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member] | Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	5,248		3,316
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member] | Contractual Interest Rate Reduction [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	1,001
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs	$ 3,242		4,771
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member] | Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal [Member]
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items]
Accruing TDRs			$ 410

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Note 16 - Balance Sheet Offsetting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]

Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]

16. Balance Sheet Offsetting

Certain financial instruments, including resell and repurchase agreements, securities lending arrangements and derivatives, may be eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheet and/or subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The Company’s securities sold with agreements to repurchase and derivative transactions with upstream financial institution counterparties are generally executed under International Swaps and Derivative Association master agreements which include “right of set-off” provisions. In such cases there is generally a legally enforceable right to offset recognized amounts and there may be an intention to settle such amounts on a net basis. Nonetheless, the Company does not generally offset such financial instruments for financial reporting purposes.

Financial instruments that are eligible for offset in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, are presented in the following table:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet		Net Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet		Financial Instruments		Collateral Posted			Net Amount
	(In thousands)
September 30, 2015
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	400,000	$	-	$	400,000	$	-	$	(400,000	)	$	-
Derivatives	$	3,726	$	-	$	3,726	$	-	$	(3,726	)	$	-
December 31, 2014
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$	450,000	$	-	$	450,000	$	-	$	(450,000	)	$	-
Derivatives	$	4,626	$	-	$	4,626	$	-	$	(4,626	)	$	-

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Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

	Shares			Weighted-average Exercise Price		Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014		2,332,904		$	32.34		1.2	$	1,388
Exercised		(3,750	)		23.37
Forfeited		(808,670	)		35.63
Balance, March 31, 2015		1,520,484		$	30.62		1.6	$	3,156
Exercised		(69,600	)		23.37
Forfeited		(267,884	)		33.99
Balance, June 30, 2015		1,183,000		$	30.37		1.5	$	5,010
Exercised		(74,000	)		23.37
Forfeited		(10,600	)		36.56
Balance, September 30, 2015		1,098,400		$	30.79		1.2	$	3,148
Exercisable, September 30, 2015		1,098,400		$	30.79		1.2	$	3,148

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]

	Units
Balance at December 31, 2014		386,465
Granted		72,900
Vested		(24,892	)
Forfeited		(7,846	)
Balance at September 30, 2015		426,627

Schedule of Tax Benefit (Short-fall) from Share-based Payment Arrangements [Table Text Block]

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015			2014
Tax benefit/(short-fall) of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value	$	17	$	-	$	(5,602	)	$	(1,177	)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value		275		-		6,421			1,177
Total benefit of tax deductions	$	292	$	-	$	819		$	-

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Note 8 - Loans (Details) - Aging of Loan Portfolio - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	$ 85,536	$ 112,401
Non-accrual loans	71,241	70,163
Loans not past due	9,954,396	8,801,679
Loans	10,039,932	8,914,080
Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	7,074	36,359
Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	4,648	5,879
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	2,573
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	24,519	19,816
Non-accrual loans	14,758	6,983
Loans not past due	2,337,540	2,362,677
Loans	2,362,059	2,382,493
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	5,865	11,595
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	3,896	1,238
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	16,579	21,379
Non-accrual loans	16,579	19,963
Loans not past due	388,699	277,275
Loans	405,278	298,654
Real Estate Construction Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due		1,416
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	37,142	57,169
Non-accrual loans	33,214	35,606
Loans not past due	5,238,428	4,429,274
Loans	5,275,570	4,486,443
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	1,114	17,654
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	241	3,909
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	2,573
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	7,296	13,977
Non-accrual loans	6,690	7,611
Loans not past due	1,983,958	1,728,961
Loans	1,991,254	1,742,938
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	95	5,634
Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due	511	732
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due		60
Loans not past due	5,771	3,492
Loans	$ 5,771	3,552
Consumer Portfolio Segment [Member] | Financing Receivables, 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Type of Loans:
Loans past due		$ 60

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Note 7 - Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 1,380,879		$ 1,318,935
Proceeds from Sale of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) categorized as Available-for-sale	648,000	$ 458,400
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS)	67,300	54,700
Proceeds from Sales and Repayments of Other Investment Securities	385,200	84,900
Proceeds from Maturities Repayments and Calls of Other Investment Securities	165,000	585,800
Realized Gain from Sale and Call of Investment Securities	2,400	17,100
Realized Loss from Sale and Call of Investment Securities	1,900	$ 9,500
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	4,142		11,799
Pledged Investment Securities	$ 457,000		$ 591,300

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 119,663	$ 102,252
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Credit for loan losses	(8,400)	(8,800)
Provision for losses on other real estate owned	547	1,693
Deferred tax liability	14,327	13,846
Depreciation and amortization	22,330	5,911
Net gains on sale and transfer of other real estate owned	(2,006)	(3,467)
Net gains on sale of loans	(845)	(300)
Proceeds from sales of loans	28,507	15,791
Originations of loans held-for-sale	(26,689)	(15,491)
Income associated with debt redemption		(550)
Write-downs on venture capital investments	408	317
Write-downs on impaired securities	3,875	820
Net gains on sales and calls of securities	(506)	(7,647)
Amortization/accretion of security premiums/discounts, net	3,542	2,266
Loss on sales or disposal of fixed assets	138
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements	5,602	1,177
Stock based compensation and stock issued to officers as compensation	3,923	2,948
Net change in accrued interest receivable and other assets	(30,929)	1,691
Net change in other liabilities	(9,432)	(8,377)
Net cash provided by operating activities	124,055	104,080
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Decrease/(increase) in short-term investments	119,785	(75,873)
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale	(1,323,149)	(892,706)
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale	1,033,195	543,305
Proceeds from repayments, maturities and calls of investment securities available-for-sale	232,253	640,478
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock		(17,736)
Redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	13,535	8,646
Net increase in loans	(702,595)	(763,211)
Purchase of premises and equipment	(2,628)	(4,036)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned	10,524	28,543
Investment in affordable housing & alternative energy partnerships	(46,349)	(5,617)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	6,572
Net cash used in investing activities	(658,857)	(538,207)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase in deposits	1,034,442	713,362
Net decrease in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	(50,000)	(250,000)
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank	4,842,000	8,252,400
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings	(5,192,000)	(8,218,600)
Cash dividends paid	(30,690)	(15,133)
Pruchase of treasury stock	(50,701)
Repurchase of trust preferred securities		(1,450)
Proceeds from shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Plan	3,636	1,554
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,433
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of RSUs	(204)	(274)
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements	(5,602)	(1,177)
Net cash provided by financing activities	554,314	480,682
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	19,512	46,555
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	176,830	153,747
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	196,342	200,302
Cash paid during the period:
Interest	52,614	59,478
Income taxes paid	67,776	52,864
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Net change in unrealized holding gain on securities available-for-sale, net of tax	4,790	21,057
Net change in unrealized holding loss on cash flow hedge derivatives	(1,818)	(163)
Transfers of investment securities to available-for-sale from other assets	520
Transfers of trading securities to short-term investments		4,936
Transfers to other real estate owned from loans held for investment	3,914	$ 2,810
Issuance of stock related to acquisition	$ 82,857

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Note 5 - Earnings per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

5. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock and resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in earnings.

Outstanding stock options with anti-dilutive effect were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. The following table sets forth earnings per common share calculations:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income	$	38,483	$	35,909	$	119,663	$	102,252
Weighted-average shares:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		81,475,288		79,677,952		80,422,711		79,639,202
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Warrants		606,803		346,101		507,002		306,306
Options		123,910		109,803		124,135		103,022
Restricted stock units		79,477		42,244		51,343		39,289
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		82,285,478		80,176,100		81,105,191		80,087,819
Average stock options and warrants with anti-dilutive effect		760,291		1,990,358		1,082,400		1,993,384
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.47	$	0.45	$	1.49	$	1.28
Diluted	$	0.47	$	0.45	$	1.48	$	1.28

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Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		$ 12,098	$ 22,313	$ 43,200	$ 60,944
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent				26.50%	37.30%
Income Taxes Receivable						$ 18,100
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Note 11 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	27.00%

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Note 7 - Investment Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	284,603	$	388	$	-	$	284,991
Mortgage-backed securities		1,005,527		1,066		2,195		1,004,398
Collateralized mortgage obligations		67		-		29		38
Corporate debt securities		74,952		370		1,492		73,830
Mutual funds		6,000		-		101		5,899
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		2,811		1,706		-		4,517
Other equity securities		4,128		3,403		325		7,206
Total	$	1,378,088	$	6,933	$	4,142	$	1,380,879

	December 31, 2014
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	664,206	$	63	$	265	$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities		549,296		1,393		6,386		544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations		79		-		34		45
Corporate debt securities		94,943		776		1,247		94,472
Mutual funds		6,000		-		134		5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		6,276		681		3,733		3,224
Other equity securities		3,608		3,413		-		7,021
Total	$	1,324,408	$	6,326	$	11,799	$	1,318,935

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

	Securities Available-For-Sale
	Amortized cost		Fair value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	184,935	$	185,127
Due after one year through five years		136,610		137,407
Due after five years through ten years		45,546		44,172
Due after ten years (1)		1,010,997		1,014,173
Total	$	1,378,088	$	1,380,879

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015
	Temporarily impaired securities
	Less than 12 months				12 months or longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
Mortgage-backed securities	$	703,710	$	2,194	$	7	$	1	$	703,717	$	2,195
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		-		38		29		38		29
Corporate debt securities		9,950		50		43,558		1,442		53,508		1,492
Mutual funds		-		-		5,899		101		5,899		101
Other equity securities		175		325		-		-		175		325
Total	$	713,835	$	2,569	$	49,502	$	1,573	$	763,337	$	4,142

	December 31, 2014
	Temporarily impaired securities
	Less than 12 months				12 months or longer				Total
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
	(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities	$	374,153	$	265	$	-	$	-	$	374,153	$	265
Mortgage-backed securities		-		-		425,090		6,386		425,090		6,386
Collateralized mortgage obligations		-		-		45		34		45		34
Corporate debt securities		-		-		63,753		1,247		63,753		1,247
Mutual funds		-		-		5,866		134		5,866		134
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities		2,448		3,733		-		-		2,448		3,733
Total	$	376,601	$	3,998	$	494,754	$	7,801	$	871,355	$	11,799

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Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - Stock Options - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Options [Abstract]
Shares	1,183,000	1,520,484			2,332,904	2,332,904
Weighted-average exercise price	$ 30.37	$ 30.62			$ 32.34	$ 32.34
Weighted-average remaining contractual life	1 year 73 days	1 year 6 months	1 year 219 days			1 year 73 days
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 3,148	$ 5,010	$ 3,156	$ 3,148		$ 1,388
Exercisable, September 30, 2015	1,098,400			1,098,400
Exercisable, September 30, 2015	$ 30.79			$ 30.79
Exercisable, September 30, 2015	1 year 73 days
Exercisable, September 30, 2015	$ 3,148			$ 3,148
Shares, exercised	(74,000)	(69,600)	(3,750)	(147,350)	0
Weighted-average exercise price, exercised	$ 23.37	$ 23.37	$ 23.37
Shares, forfeited	(10,600)	(267,884)	(808,670)
Weighted-average exercise price, forfeited	$ 36.56	$ 33.99	$ 35.63
Shares	1,098,400	1,183,000	1,520,484	1,098,400
Weighted-average exercise price	$ 30.79	$ 30.37	$ 30.62	$ 30.79

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Note 15 - Financial Derivatives

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instrument Detail [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

15. Financial Derivatives

It is the policy of the Company not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, the Company enters into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We believe that these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. In such instances, the Company may enter into interest rate swap contracts or other types of financial derivatives. Prior to considering any hedging activities, we seek to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges must be approved by the Bank’s Investment Committee.

The Company follows ASC Topic 815 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge. Fair value is determined using third-party models with observable market data. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reflected in current earnings, together with changes in the fair value of the related hedged item if there is a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged. If there is not a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged, then only the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, Bancorp entered into five interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $119.1 million for a period of ten years. The objective of these interest rate swap contracts, which were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, was to hedge on Bancorp’s $119.1 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures that had been issued to five trusts, with the quarterly interest payments throughout the ten-year period beginning in June 2014 and ending in June 2024, from the risk of variability of these payments resulting from changes in the three-month LIBOR interest rate. Bancorp pays a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.61% and receives a variable interest rate of the three-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 0.33%. As of September 30, 2015, the notional amount of cash flow interest rate swaps was $119.1 million and their unrealized loss of $4.2 million, net of taxes, was included in other comprehensive income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $706,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $723,000 for the same quarter a year ago. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $2.1 million compared to $824,000 for the same period in 2014.

In 2014 and 2015, the Bank entered into interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $342.8 million for various terms from four to eight years. These interest rate swap contracts are matched to individual fixed-rate commercial real estate loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio. These contracts have been designated as hedging instruments to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of the underlying commercial real estate loan due to changes in interest rates. The swap contracts are structured so that the notional amounts reduce over time to match the contractual amortization of the underlying loan and allow prepayments with the same pre-payment penalty amounts as the related loan. The Bank pays a weighted average fixed rate of 4.69% and receives a variable rate at the one month LIBOR rate plus a weighted average spread of 321 basis points, or at a weighted average rate of 3.41%. As of September 30, 2015, the notional amount of fair value interest rate swaps was $338.1 million and their unrealized loss of $3.7 million was included in other non-interest income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $831,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $580,000 for the same quarter a year ago. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $606,000 for the same period a year ago. As of September 30, 2015, the ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant.

Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Institutional counterparties must have a strong credit profile and be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s credit exposure on interest rate swaps is limited to the net favorable value and interest payments of all swaps by each counterparty. Credit exposure may be reduced by the amount of collateral pledged by the counterparty. Bancorp’s interest rate swaps have been assigned by the counterparties to a derivatives clearing organization and daily margin is indirectly maintained with the derivatives clearing organization. Cash posted as collateral by Bancorp related to derivative contracts totaled $10.6 million as of September 30, 2015.

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign exchange certificates of deposit or foreign exchange contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign exchange certificates of deposit and foreign exchange contracts are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At September 30, 2015, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $129.7 million had a positive fair value of $3.4 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $144.7 million had a negative fair value of $4.9 million at September 30, 2015. At December 31, 2014, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $167.0 million had a positive fair value of $1.9 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $178.9 million had a negative fair value of $5.0 million at December 31, 2014.