Securities (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Securities [Abstract]

Transfers of debt securities

Transfers of debt securities into the investment securities portfolio (held-to-maturity) are made at fair value at the date of transfer.  The unrealized holding gain or loss at the date of transfer is retained in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the investment securities portfolio.  Such amounts are amortized over the estimated remaining life of the security as an adjustment to yield, offsetting the related amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount on the transferred securities.