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Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company follow generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry. The policies which materially affect the determination of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows are summarized below.

Principles of Consolidation:

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and the following direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Holding Company: the Bank, Flushing Preferred Funding Corporation (“FPFC”), Flushing Service Corporation (“FSC”), and FSB Properties Inc. (“Properties”). FPFC is a real estate investment trust formed to hold a portion of the Bank’s mortgage loans to facilitate access to capital markets. FSC was formed to market insurance products and mutual funds. Properties is currently used to hold title to real estate owned that is obtained via foreclosure.  All intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. The Holding Company currently has three unconsolidated subsidiaries in the form of wholly-owned statutory business trusts, which were formed to issue guaranteed capital debentures (“capital securities”). Please see Note 9, “Borrowed Funds and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase,” for additional information regarding these trusts.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to change in the near term are used in connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, the review of the need for a valuation allowance of the Company’s deferred tax assets, the fair value of the investment portfolio and the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on securities. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

For the purpose of reporting cash flows, the Company defines cash and due from banks, overnight interest-earning deposits and federal funds sold with original maturities of 90 days or less as cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $34.3 million and $33.5 million, respectively. Included in cash and cash equivalents at those dates were $23.0 million and $23.7 million in interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions, primarily consisting of balances due from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB-NY”). The Bank is required to maintain cash reserves equal to a percentage of certain deposits. The reserve requirement totaled $7.5 million and $10.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Securities Available for Sale:

Securities are classified as available for sale when management intends to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time or when the securities may be utilized for tactical asset/liability purposes and may be sold from time to time to effectively manage interest rate exposure and resultant prepayment risk and liquidity needs. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted, respectively, using the level-yield method. Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses (other than unrealized losses considered other-than-temporary which are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income) on securities available for sale are excluded from earnings and reported as part of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (2) the current interest rate environment, (3) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, if applicable, and (4) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Other-than-temporary impairment losses for debt securities are measured using a discounted cash flow model. Other-than-temporary impairment losses for equity securities are measured using quoted market prices, when available, or, when market quotes are not available due to an illiquid market, we use an impairment model from a third party or quotes from investment brokers.

Goodwill:

Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite life and is tested annually, or when certain conditions are met, for impairment, rather than amortized. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the goodwill amount, no further evaluation is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the goodwill amount, further evaluation would be required to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the goodwill amount and determine if a write down is required.

The FASB issued ASU 2011-08, which gives entities the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to test goodwill for impairment on a reporting-unit-by-reporting-unit basis. If, after performing the qualitative assessment, an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the entity would perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC 350. However, if, after applying the qualitative assessment, the entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required.

In performing the goodwill impairment testing, the Company has identified a single reporting unit. The Company performed the qualitative assessment as outlined in ASU 2011-08 in assessing the carrying value of goodwill as of December 31, 2014 and determined that there was no goodwill impairment. At December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of goodwill totaled $16.1 million. The identification of additional reporting units, the use of other valuation techniques and/or changes to input assumptions used in the analysis could result in materially different evaluations of goodwill impairment.

Loans:

Loans are reported at their principal outstanding balance net of any unearned income, charge-offs, deferred loan fees and costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest on loans is recognized on the accrual basis. The accrual of income on loans is generally discontinued when certain factors, such as contractual delinquency of 90 days or more, indicate reasonable doubt as to the timely collectability of such income. Uncollected interest previously recognized on non-accrual loans is reversed from interest income at the time the loan is placed on non-accrual status. A non-accrual loan can be returned to accrual status when contractual delinquency returns to less than 90 days delinquent. Subsequent cash payments received on non-accrual loans that do not bring the loan to less than 90 days delinquent are recorded on a cash basis. Subsequent cash payments can also be applied first as a reduction of principal until all principal is recovered and then subsequently to interest, if in management’s opinion, it is evident that recovery of all principal due is unlikely to occur. Loan fees and certain loan origination costs are deferred. Net loan origination costs and premiums or discounts on loans purchased are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the level-yield method. Prepayment penalties received on loans which pay in full prior to their scheduled maturity are included in interest income in the period they are collected.

Allowance for Loan Losses:

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at an amount, which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the adequacy of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectability of loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.

The allowance is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the various components of the loan portfolio and other factors, including historical loan loss experience (which is updated quarterly), current economic conditions, delinquency and non-accrual trends, classified loan levels, risk in the portfolio and volumes and trends in loan types, recent trends in charge-offs, changes in underwriting standards, experience, ability and depth of the Company’s  lenders, collection policies and experience, internal loan review function and other external factors.  Additionally, the Company segregated our loans into two portfolios based on year of origination. One portfolio was reviewed for loans originated after December 31, 2009 and a second portfolio for loans originated prior to January 1, 2010. Our decision to segregate the portfolio based upon origination dates was based on changes made in our underwriting standards during 2009. By the end of 2009, all loans were being underwritten based on revised and tightened underwriting standards.  Loans originated prior to 2010 have a higher delinquency rate and loss history. Each of the years in the portfolio for loans originated prior to 2010 has a similar delinquency rate. The determination of the amount of the allowance for loan losses includes estimates that are susceptible to significant changes due to changes in appraisal values of collateral, national and local economic conditions and other factors. We review our loan portfolio by separate categories with similar risk and collateral characteristics. Impaired loans are segregated and reviewed separately. All non-accrual loans are classified impaired. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews and approves management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.

The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Increases and decreases in the allowance other than charge-offs and recoveries are included in the provision for loan losses. When a loan or a portion of a loan is determined to be uncollectible, the portion deemed uncollectible is charged against the allowance, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The Company recognizes a loan as non-performing when the borrower has demonstrated the inability to bring the loan current, or due to other circumstances which, in management’s opinion, indicate the borrower will be unable to bring the loan current within a reasonable time. All loans classified as non-performing, which includes all loans past due 90 days or more, are classified as non-accrual unless there is, in our opinion, compelling evidence the borrower will bring the loan current in the immediate future. Appraisals are obtained and/or updated internal evaluations are prepared as soon as practical, and before the loan becomes 90 days delinquent. The loan balances of collateral dependent impaired loans are compared to the property’s updated fair value. The Company considers fair value of collateral dependent loans to be 85% of the appraised or internally estimated value of the property. The balance which exceeds fair value is generally charged-off.  Management reviews the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis, and records as a provision the amount deemed appropriate, after considering items such as, current year charge-offs, charge-off trends, new loan production, current balance by particular loan categories, and delinquent loans by particular loan categories.

A loan is considered impaired when, based upon current information, the Company believes it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, in accordance with the original terms of the loan. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or at the loan’s observable market price or, as a practical expedient, the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Interest income on impaired loans is recorded on the cash basis. The Company’s management considers all non-accrual loans impaired.

The Company reviews each impaired loan on an individual basis to determine if either a charge-off or a valuation allowance needs to be allocated to the loan. The Company does not charge-off or allocate a valuation allowance to loans for which management has concluded the current value of the underlying collateral will allow for recovery of the loan balance either through the sale of the loan or by foreclosure and sale of the property.

The Company evaluates the underlying collateral through a third party appraisal, or when a third party appraisal is not available, the Company will use an internal evaluation. The internal evaluations are prepared using an income approach or a sales approach. The income approach is used for income producing properties and uses current revenues less operating expenses to determine the net cash flow of the property. Once the net cash flow is determined, the value of the property is calculated using an appropriate capitalization rate for the property. The sales approach uses comparable sales prices in the market.  When an internal evaluation is used, we place greater reliance on the income approach to value the collateral.

In preparing internal evaluations of property values, the Company seeks to obtain current data on the subject property from various sources, including: (1) the borrower; (2) copies of existing leases; (3) local real estate brokers and appraisers; (4) public records (such as real estate taxes and water and sewer charges); (5) comparable sales and rental data in the market; (6) an inspection of the property and (7) interviews with tenants. These internal evaluations primarily focus on the income approach and comparable sales data to value the property.

As of December 31, 2014, we utilized recent third party appraisals of the collateral to measure impairment for $31.0 million, or 68.8%, of collateral dependent impaired loans, and used internal evaluations of the property’s value for $14.1 million, or 31.2%, of collateral dependent impaired loans.

The Company may restructure a loan to enable a borrower experiencing financial difficulties to continue making payments when it is deemed to be in the Company’s best long-term interest. This restructure may include reducing the interest rate or amount of the monthly payment for a specified period of time, after which the interest rate and repayment terms revert to the original terms of the loan. We classify these loans as Troubled Debt Restructured (“TDR”).

These restructurings have not included a reduction of principal balance. The Company believes that restructuring these loans in this manner will allow certain borrowers to become and remain current on their loans. Restructured loans are classified as a TDR when the Bank grants a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties. All loans classified as TDR are considered impaired, however TDR loans which have been current for six consecutive months at the time they are restructured as TDR remain on accrual status and are not included as part of non-performing loans. Loans which were delinquent at the time they are restructured as a TDR are placed on non-accrual status and reported as non-performing loans until they have made timely payments for six consecutive months. Loans that are restructured as TDR but are not performing in accordance with the restructured terms are placed on non-accrual status and reported as non-performing loans.

The allocation of a portion of the allowance for loan losses for a performing TDR loan is based upon the present value of the future expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective rate, or for a non-performing TDR which is collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral. At December 31, 2014, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were modified to a TDR. The modification of loans to a TDR did not have a significant effect on our operating results, nor did it require a significant allocation of the allowance for loan losses.

Loans Held for Sale:

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. At December 31, 2014, there were no loans classified as held for sale. At December 31, 2013, loans held for sale consisted of one non-performing multi-family residential loan for $0.4 million.

Bank Owned Life Insurance:

Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) represents life insurance on the lives of certain employees who have provided positive consent allowing the Bank to be the beneficiary of such policies. BOLI is carried in the consolidated statements of financial position at its cash surrender value. Increases in the cash value of the policies, as well as proceeds received, are recorded in other non-interest income, and are not subject to income taxes.

Other Real Estate Owned:

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) consists of property acquired by foreclosure. These properties are carried at fair value. The fair value is based on appraised value through a current appraisal, or at times through an internal review, additionally adjusted by the estimated costs to sell the property.  This determination is made on an individual asset basis. If the fair value of a property is less than the carrying amount, the difference is recognized as a valuation allowance. Further decreases to the estimated value will be charged directly to expense.

Bank Premises and Equipment:

Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost, less depreciation accumulated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (3 to 40 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases or the lives of the assets, whichever is shorter. Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are charged to non-interest expense in the period incurred.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock:

The FHLB-NY has assigned to the Bank a mandated membership stock purchase, based on its asset size.  In addition, for all borrowing activity, the Bank is required to purchase shares of FHLB-NY non-marketable capital stock at par.  Such shares are redeemed by FHLB-NY at par with reductions in the Bank’s borrowing levels. The Bank carries its investment in FHLB-NY stock at historical cost. The Company periodically reviews its FHLB-NY stock to determine if impairment exists.  At December 31, 2014, the Company considered among other things the earnings performance, credit rating and asset quality of the FHLB-NY. Based on this review, the Company did not consider the value of our investment in FHLB-NY stock to be impaired at December 31, 2014.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase:

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are accounted for as collateralized financing and are carried at amounts at which the securities will be subsequently reacquired as specified in the respective agreements. Interest incurred under these agreements is included in other interest expense.

Income Taxes:

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities. A deferred tax liability is recognized on all taxable temporary differences and a deferred tax asset is recognized on all deductible temporary differences and operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards.  A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce the potential deferred tax asset if it is “more likely than not” that all or some portion of that potential deferred tax asset will not be realized.  The Company must also take into account changes in tax laws or rates when valuing the deferred income tax amounts it carries on its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Stock Compensation Plans:

The Company accounts for its stock based compensation in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718 “Stock Compensation” which establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees. It also requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of an equity instrument based on the grant date fair value of the award.  That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The requisite service period is usually the vesting period.

Benefit Plans:

The Company sponsors a qualified pension, 401(k), and profit sharing plan for its employees. The Company also sponsors postretirement health care and life insurance benefits plans for its employees, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for officers who have achieved the level of at least senior vice president, and a non-qualified pension plan for its outside directors.

The Company recognizes the funded status of a benefit plan – measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation – in the statement of financial condition, with the unrecognized credits and charges recognized, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. These credits or charges arose as a result of gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arose during prior periods but were not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

Treasury Stock:

The Company records treasury stock at cost. Treasury stock is reissued at average cost.

Derivatives:

Derivatives are required to be recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. The Company records derivatives on a gross basis in “Other assets” and “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  The accounting for changes in value of a derivative depends on whether or not the transaction has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges are reported and measured at fair value through earnings.

To qualify for hedge accounting, a derivative must be highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged. In addition, for a derivative to be designated as a hedge, the risk management objective and strategy must be documented. Hedge documentation must identify the derivative hedging instrument, the asset or liability or forecasted transaction and type of risk to be hedged, and how the effectiveness of the derivative is assessed prospectively and retrospectively. The extent to which a derivative has been, and is expected to continue to be, effective at offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item must be assessed and documented at least quarterly. Any hedge ineffectiveness (i.e., the amount by which the gain or loss on the designated derivative instrument does not exactly offset the change in the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk) must be reported in current-period earnings. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective at hedging the designated exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued.

Segment Reporting:

Management views the Company as operating as a single unit, a community bank. Therefore, segment information is not provided.

Advertising Expense:

Costs associated with advertising are expensed as incurred. The Company recorded advertising expenses of $1.8 million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Earnings per Common Share:

Earnings per share are computed in accordance with ASC Topic 260 “Earnings Per Share.” Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the total weighted average number of common shares outstanding, which includes unvested participating securities. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and as such are included in the calculation of earnings per share.  The Company’s unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards are considered participating securities. Therefore, weighted average common shares outstanding used for computing basic earnings per common share includes common shares outstanding plus unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. The computation of diluted earnings per share includes the additional dilutive effect of stock options outstanding and other common stock equivalents during the period.  Common stock equivalents that are anti-dilutive are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share. The numerator for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share is net income available to common shareholders. The shares held in the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust are not included in shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per common share.

Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following, for the years ended December 31:

   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Net income, as reported
  $ 44,239     $ 37,752     $ 34,331  
Divided by:
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    29,788       30,047       30,402  
Weighted average common stock equivalents
    29       26       31  
Total weighted average common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents
    29,817       30,073       30,433  
                         
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 1.49     $ 1.26     $ 1.13  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 1.48     $ 1.26     $ 1.13  
Dividend Payout ratio
    40.3 %     41.3 %     46.0 %

There were no options that were anti-dilutive for the year ended December 31, 2014. Options to purchase 151,900 shares, at an average exercise price of $18.55, and 550,400 shares, at an average exercise price of $17.63, are anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.