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Loans and Allowance For Loan Losses: Allowance for Loan Losses Policy (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Policies  
Allowance for Loan Losses Policy

Management’s opinion as to the ultimate collectability of loans is subject to estimates regarding future cash flows from operations and the value of property, real and personal, pledged as collateral.  These estimates are affected by changing economic conditions and the economic prospects of borrowers.

 

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that, in management’s judgment, is adequate to cover probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.  The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings.  Loan losses are charged against the allowance when an amount is determined to be uncollectible, based on management’s analysis of expected cash flow (for non-collateral-dependent loans) or collateral value (for collateral-dependent loans).  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

 

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

The allowance consists of allocated and general components.  The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired.  For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.

 

Under the Company’s methodology, loans are first segmented into 1) those comprising large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, including single-family mortgages and installment loans, which are collectively evaluated for impairment, and 2) all other loans which are individually evaluated.  Those loans in the second category are further segmented utilizing a defined grading system which involves categorizing loans by severity of risk based on conditions that may affect the ability of the borrowers to repay their debt, such as current financial information, collateral valuations, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current trends.  The loans subject to credit classification represent the portion of the portfolio subject to the greatest credit risk and where adjustments to the allowance for losses on loans as a result of provisions and charge offs are most likely to have a significant impact on operations.

 

During fiscal 2011, the Company changed its allowance methodology to consider, as the primary quantitative factor, average net charge offs over the most recent twelve-month period.  The Company had previously considered average net charge offs over the most recent five-year period as the primary quantitative factor.  The impact of the modification was minimal.